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The differences between account managers and key account managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an account manager and a key account manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $68,535 average annual salary of an account manager.
The top three skills for an account manager include customer service, account management and healthcare. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.
| Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $68,535 | $102,315 |
| Hourly rate | $32.95 | $49.19 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 152,261 | 160,992 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
Account managers are employees who act as the bridge between the company they represent and the client of the company. They are assigned to handle specific clients so that the company will be able to tailor-fit any product or service according to the clients' requirements. Account managers are responsible for maintaining a harmonious relationship between the two parties by ensuring that any agreement made is amenable to both the company and the client. They are also responsible for ensuring that the company will be able to provide the needs of the client within any limitation that the client may have. Account managers also ensure that the company's reputation and well-being are always considered in any dealings.
A key account manager is primarily in charge of handling key clients that produce the most profit for a company or business, ensuring that they remain with them. They are mainly responsible for understanding their clients' needs and long-term goals, ensuring that the key clients get to receive all the necessary services and products in time, and promptly address and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, a key account manager may prepare reports and proposals to team members, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
Account managers and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Average salary | $68,535 | $102,315 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $110,000 | Between $75,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Maine |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Quidel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an account manager and a key account manager in terms of educational background:
| Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between account managers' and key account managers' demographics:
| Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2% | Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |