Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of account managers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of account managers:
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Global Account Manager is the highest-paid type of account manager with an average salary of $123,233 and an average hourly rate of $59.25.
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The second highest-paying type of account manager is key account manager, with an average salary of $102,315.
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The average account manager salary is $68,535 per year, and the average hourly pay is $32.95.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an account manager, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of account managers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of account managers:
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Global Account Manager
Average Salary: $123,233
Global Account Managers are employees who oversee the company’s client accounts. They are part of the company’s sales departments, and they specialize in ensuring that clients would continue their partnership or engagement with the company. They are in charge of taking care of their clients who are, at times, in different areas or regions. Global account managers look at the company’s sales performance and recommend action steps to improve performance. They often take on challenging client accounts and manage the clients’ relationship with the company. Global Account Managers also come up with strategies to ensure client engagement, retention, and loyalty.
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Key Account Manager
Average Salary: $102,315
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.
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Business Development Account Manager
Average Salary: $99,209
A business development account manager is in charge of developing strategies to identify new business and client opportunities, ensuring sales growth and customer satisfaction. They typically perform research and analysis to gather data, coordinate with analysts and experts, produce sales and progress reports, and maintain records of all transactions. Furthermore, a business development account manager must build positive relationships with clients and secure sales by reaching out to customers through calls, correspondence, or appointments. They may offer products and services, process payments, and handle inquiries or concerns.
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Major Account Manager
Average Salary: $98,287
Major account manager responsibilities include growing strong relationships with customers, liaising with chief business executives and stakeholders, as well as making sales reports. Also, they answer the client’s questions and determine new business opportunities between current customers. They also act as a liaison with cross-functional internal teams, which include customer service and product development departments, to enhance the overall customer experience. Additionally, they negotiate contracts and ensure that agreements increase profits. The work may require periodic travel.
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National Account Manager
Average Salary: $96,948
A national account manager is a professional who is responsible for maintaining strong relationships with key accounts from a particular region. To ensure long-term success, federal account managers must act as a liaison between customers and the internal team by achieving the customers’ needs and requirements. They must identify and create attractive strategies to bring new customers and gain revenues. Also, candidates for national account managers must possess excellent interpersonal skills and experience managing national accounts.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various account manager that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Account Managers
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for account managers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Account Manager Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid account manager job?
The highest-paid account manager job is a global account manager. Global Account Managers earn an average salary of $123,233, which is $ 59.25 hourly.
Global Account Managers are employees who oversee the company’s client accounts. They are part of the company’s sales departments, and they specialize in ensuring that clients would continue their partnership or engagement with the company. They are in charge of taking care of their clients who are, at times, in different areas or regions. Global account managers look at the company’s sales performance and recommend action steps to improve performance. They often take on challenging client accounts and manage the clients’ relationship with the company. Global Account Managers also come up with strategies to ensure client engagement, retention, and loyalty.
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What is a good salary for an account manager?
A good salary for an account manager is $68,535 or more. The average account manager salary is $68,535, so those making at least $68,535 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average account manager salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an account manager, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $68,535 average, as this includes all account managers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Account Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, account manager jobs pay well. As in any industry, some account manager jobs pay better than others, but the average account manager salary of $68,535 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many account manager jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of account managers earning $0 a year on average.
Account Managers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an account manager. Do your research on the going rate for an account manager in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do account managers get paid the most?
Account Managers get paid the most in Washington. In Washington, account managers earn an average annual salary of $84,225 and an average hourly wage of $40.49.
Following WA, the states with the highest-paid account managers are Connecticut, Michigan, and New York, with average annual salaries of $73,760, $79,109, and $81,458 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid account manager salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $87,739
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Seattle, WA – $84,793
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Washington, NJ – $81,900
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
