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The differences between advertising account executives and commercial account executives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an advertising account executive and a commercial account executive. Additionally, a commercial account executive has an average salary of $75,624, which is higher than the $62,123 average annual salary of an advertising account executive.
The top three skills for an advertising account executive include media sales, CRM and client relationships. The most important skills for a commercial account executive are cloud, customer service, and CRM.
| Advertising Account Executive | Commercial Account Executive | |
| Yearly salary | $62,123 | $75,624 |
| Hourly rate | $29.87 | $36.36 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 117,707 | 137,143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An advertising account executive serves as the clients' primary point of contact when coordinating with the advertising team. Mainly responsible for managing client accounts, an advertising account executive must identify the clients' advertising needs, answer inquiries, prepare and process documentation, review former campaigns, and coordinate with the clients to establish timelines, goals, and budgets. Furthermore, it is essential to assist clients every step of the way, ensuring smooth workflow and client satisfaction, all while adhering to the company's policies ad regulations.
A commercial account executive is responsible for income growth in new trademark and existing accounts within an assigned area and ensuring all key measures are delivered. Commercial account executives are primarily responsible for the principal generation and opportunity formation. They work with Marketing, Sales Development, Customer Success, and Professional Services departments to proactively develop and implement an area plan. Also, they work with accounts via telephone, email, in person, and other online means. Additionally, they provide direction and guidance to the extended territory team and leadership to ensure individual and team success. Candidates for this position must have executive-level selling skills.
Advertising account executives and commercial account executives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Advertising Account Executive | Commercial Account Executive | |
| Average salary | $62,123 | $75,624 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $87,000 | Between $50,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redding, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | VMware |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an advertising account executive and a commercial account executive in terms of educational background:
| Advertising Account Executive | Commercial Account Executive | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between advertising account executives' and commercial account executives' demographics:
| Advertising Account Executive | Commercial Account Executive | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 4.6% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |