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Account executive vs marketing/sales representative

The differences between account executives and marketing/sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an account executive has an average salary of $69,618, which is higher than the $62,917 average annual salary of a marketing/sales representative.

The top three skills for an account executive include customer service, CRM and healthcare. The most important skills for a marketing/sales representative are customer relations, business relationships, and sales rep.

Account executive vs marketing/sales representative overview

Account ExecutiveMarketing/Sales Representative
Yearly salary$69,618$62,917
Hourly rate$33.47$30.25
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs205,561274,768
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4447
Years of experience-4

What does an account executive do?

An account executive is responsible for supporting existing clients, closing client deals, and developing sales strategies to increase the company's sales and satisfaction. An account executive must be competitive enough to keep up with the constant changes in the sales industry, including the high demands of digital marketing, a different approach to product advertising, effective negotiation, and presentation skills. An account executive also requires excellent communication skills for the successful acquisition of client accounts and immediately resolve possible complaints as they arise.

What does a marketing/sales representative do?

The job of marketing/sales representatives is to pitch a company's products and services to potential customers. They work to drive brand awareness through face-to-face consumer interaction. They are often considered as a liaison between sellers and buyers, providing information about products and services. They promote human relationships through marketing collateral distribution and communication. Other responsibilities include planning and implementing marketing campaigns, maintaining good relationships with vendors and venues, and promoting business expansion opportunities. This role requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, communications and marketing experience, excellent communication skills, and time management skills.

Account executive vs marketing/sales representative salary

Account executives and marketing/sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Account ExecutiveMarketing/Sales Representative
Average salary$69,618$62,917
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $109,000Between $42,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateOregonNew Hampshire
Best paying companyHitachi VantaraBosch USA
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between account executive and marketing/sales representative education

There are a few differences between an account executive and a marketing/sales representative in terms of educational background:

Account ExecutiveMarketing/Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Account executive vs marketing/sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between account executives' and marketing/sales representatives' demographics:

Account ExecutiveMarketing/Sales Representative
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 57.2% Female, 42.8%Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage5%6%

Differences between account executive and marketing/sales representative duties and responsibilities

Account executive example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage Facebook and twitter accounts.
  • Have achieve Google certification for both SEM and SEO sales.
  • Lead proposal team in winning a $1MM RFP, turning around a key account relationship.
  • Manage all aspects of new FedEx implementations (automation set-up, operational support and training of customers).
  • Develop and manage networking, VoIP, IP/TV, video, cloud, wireless, and security/disaster recovery projects.
  • Source all leads by means of cold calling, leveraging linkedin, referrals, and upselling to existing customers.
  • Show more

Marketing/sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Track all leads activity, leads/opportunities and manage reports using Salesforce.com.
  • Utilize CRM database to manage and track prospect interaction to ensure accurate documentation of window requirements and ongoing communication.
  • Serve as a product specialist to sales team for web design, paid search, SEO and social media services.
  • Develop working knowledge of Salesforce, customer relationship management software.
  • Incorporate videos, PowerPoint presentations and interactive tools in both comprehensive courses.
  • Plan, organize and execute informational seminars and luncheons incorporating PowerPoint presentations.
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Account executive vs marketing/sales representative skills

Common account executive skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Sales Process, 5%
  • Salesforce, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
Common marketing/sales representative skills
  • Customer Relations, 16%
  • Business Relationships, 15%
  • Sales REP, 11%
  • Product Knowledge, 11%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Sales Territory, 3%