Account representative vs sales representative

The differences between account representatives and sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an account representative, becoming a sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a sales representative has an average salary of $56,591, which is higher than the $36,977 average annual salary of an account representative.

The top three skills for an account representative include customer service, patients and patient accounts. The most important skills for a sales representative are sales process, product knowledge, and customer service.

Account representative vs sales representative overview

	Account Representative	Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$36,977	$56,591
Hourly rate	$17.78	$27.21
Growth rate	-8%	4%
Number of jobs	183,446	205,456
Job satisfaction	-	4.33
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age	46	47
Years of experience	12	4

What does an account representative do?

Account representatives are employees who manage client accounts and act as the main contact of the clients they are handling. They maintain existing accounts by updating client details regularly. They also check up on clients to see if they are still satisfied with the products or services of the company. They also create new accounts by welcoming new clients and assisting them in their needs. Account representatives manage client inquiries and process client requests. They also address complaints and ensure that any challenges are mitigated and that clients remain with the company.

What does a sales representative do?

Sales representatives primarily sell the company's products and services to businesses or organizations. They should be adept at closing out sales, negotiating, and providing customer service. They should be knowledgeable about the products or services of the manufacturer or producer they represent. They must also have strong analytical skills that would help them in coming up with cost-benefit analysis in assessing the current roster of clients and even prospective ones. Sales representatives should also be able to maintain good working relationships with all involved stakeholders, especially clients.

Account representative vs sales representative salary

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

	Account Representative	Sales Representative
Average salary	$36,977	$56,591
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $51,000	Between $33,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	New Relic	Google
Best paying industry	Finance	Pharmaceutical

Differences between account representative and sales representative education

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

	Account Representative	Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Account representative vs sales representative demographics

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

	Account Representative	Sales Representative
Average age	46	47
Gender ratio	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%	Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 3.9% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between account representative and sales representative duties and responsibilities

Account representative example responsibilities.

Manage all billing accounts including Medicare/Medicaid, HMO and individual accounts.
Manage the daily correspondence from assign practices with keeping doctor/patient confidentiality under consideration along with HIPPA regulations.
Manage and maintain an internal database system to generate reports and produce accurate account information for patients and insurance companies.
Educate physicians to use current ICD-9 diagnostic coding and preparation to begin ICD-10 coding requirements.
Analyze health care insurance/litigation patient account files to resolve outstanding and delinquent accounts due to the healthcare client.
Promote ThermoCool SmartTouch ablation catheter device to electrophysiologists.

Sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage prospective leads and existing accounts through a CRM platform to accurately forecast revenue and develop long-term business partnerships.
Manage and create all content distribute via various social media outlets: Facebook, twitter, feedback blogs, etc.
Search for procurement contracts, attend trade shows, design flyers, postcards, etc.
Utilize POS sales software to maintain monetary sales information produce reports for organizational review.
Develop and maintain business relationships with businesses and policyholders using establish methods such as customer relationship management CRM.
Handle administrative and sales duties as Jr.

Account representative vs sales representative skills

Common account representative skills

Customer Service, 21%
Patients, 18%
Patient Accounts, 5%
Data Entry, 3%
Medicaid, 3%
Customer Satisfaction, 3%

Common sales representative skills

Sales Process, 9%
Product Knowledge, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
CRM, 6%
Business Development, 6%
Sales REP, 5%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Account Representative
Account Representative vs Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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