How accelerators work
Classic design:
- Pay base rate on sales up to 100% of quota.
- Pay base rate × multiplier (e.g. 1.5×) only on the slice above quota.
Worked example: Quota $100k, sales $140k, base rate 10%, multiplier 1.5×.
- First $100k → 10% = $10,000
- Next $40k → 15% = $6,000
- Total = $16,000 (vs $14,000 if everything paid at 10%)
Accelerator vs tiered commission
Tiered plans change rate by sales bands from dollar zero. Accelerators usually keep one rate to quota, then juice the overage. Some companies combine both.
Questions to ask your employer
- At what attainment % does the accelerator start?
- Is it a multiplier or a new flat %?
- Does it apply to all products or only certain SKUs?
- Is there a decelerator below a threshold?
- Are multi-year deals credited in the period they close?
Related tools
Full suite accelerator Quota attainment OTE guide
FAQ
What is a commission accelerator?
A higher payout rate on sales above a threshold (usually quota) to reward overperformance.
What multiplier is normal?
1.5×–2× is common in SaaS; always read your plan document.
Do accelerators apply before 100%?
Usually no — but some plans accelerate earlier or use multi-step ramps. Check the plan.