AI BDR vs. Hiring SDRs: Complete 2025 Cost Comparison
The real cost of an in-house SDR is 2-3x their salary. AI BDR delivers the same results at 90% less cost—without turnover risk or ramp time.
Cost Comparison at a Glance
Annual cost: $36,000-60,000 vs. $110,000-150,000
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | StoryPros AI BDR | In-House SDR |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $3-5K✓ Better | $9-12K |
| Annual Cost | $36-60K✓ Better | $110-150K |
| Time to First Outreach | 1-2 weeks✓ Better | 3-6 months |
| Ramp Time to Full Productivity | Immediate✓ Better | 6-9 months |
| Works 24/7/365 | ✓ Better | |
| Turnover Risk | None✓ Better | 40% annually |
| Scalable Without Hiring | ✓ Better | |
| Consistent Quality | ✓ Better | Varies |
| Management Required | Minimal✓ Better | 5-10 hrs/week |
| Human Touch for Complex Deals | Partial | ✓ Better |
| Deep Product Training | AI-assisted | Full✓ Better |
The True Cost of Hiring an SDR
When you hire an SDR, salary is just the beginning. Here's what a full-loaded SDR actually costs:
StoryPros AI BDR Includes
- Custom AI agent development
- Unlimited email sequences
- Lead data & enrichment
- Multi-channel outreach
- A/B testing & optimization
- Reporting & analytics
- Dedicated success manager
- No long-term contracts
SDR Cost Breakdown
- Base Salary $50,000-60,000
- Commission/Bonuses $15,000-25,000
- Benefits (health, 401k) $12,000-18,000
- Recruiting & Hiring $4,000-10,000
- Training & Onboarding $1,500-5,000
- Software & Tools $5,000-8,000
- Equipment $1,500-2,500
- Office Overhead $3,000-6,000
- Management Time $5,000-10,000
Hidden Costs You Might Miss
Beyond the salary, here are the expenses that catch most companies off guard:
High Turnover (40% Annually)
Average SDR tenure is just 16 months. Every departure costs $5-10K in recruiting plus 3-4 months of lost productivity.
Ramp Time Investment
SDRs operate at ~50% productivity for 3-6 months. You pay full salary while they learn.
Software Stack Per Rep
CRM, sales engagement, lead data, dialers—tools cost $5-8K per rep annually.
Management Overhead
Coaching, 1:1s, pipeline reviews, performance management. 5-10 hours/week of manager time.
The Bottom Line
For the cost of one SDR, you could run AI BDR for 2-3 years—with better consistency, zero turnover, and 24/7 operation.
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