Post job

What is a channel account manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Jerri Lynn Kyle

Primarily, a channel account manager is charged with handling client accounts. Similarly, he/she maintains healthy business relationships with partners by providing them with services befitting their specifications and requirements. He/She identifies business opportunities that would satiate client needs. Additionally, he/she analyzes sales and market trends. Besides that, he/she participates in the development of sales improvement strategies to increase revenue and profit for the business. Also, he/she handles a channel team that would support the deliverables and outputs for the clients within their budget and schedule.

To become a channel account manager, you need a bachelor's degree in a related discipline with at least five years of relevant service. You must be experienced in sales techniques. Key skills include organization, attention to detail, interpersonal, sales, multitasking, and leadership skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office, SalesForce, and CRM software. Channel account managers make about $80,176 annually. This ranges from $49,000 to $130,000.

What general advice would you give to a channel account manager?

Jerri Lynn KyleJerri Lynn Kyle LinkedIn profile

Senior Instructor, Internship Coordinator, Missouri State University

1.Don't be discouraged! Jobs are out there but you might not get your dream job starting out. It's a journey, so try to make the most of every stop.
2.Start building your professional credibility, both with how you perform your job, and how you interact with your coworkers.
3.Finally, be confident, but at the same time be teachable and coachable. Your degree doesn't make you an expert. Sometimes you realize you don't even know what you don't know, and that's okay. You aren't going to know everything and that's why you need to be coachable.
ScoreChannel Account ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $97,071

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 4.07%

Black or African American 3.24%

Hispanic or Latino 9.82%

Unknown 4.41%

White 78.23%

Gender

female 28.84%

male 71.16%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Channel account manager career paths

Key steps to become a channel account manager

  1. Explore channel account manager education requirements

    Most common channel account manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    81.2 %

    Master's

    8.9 %

    Associate

    7.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific channel account manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cam8.44%
    Cloud7.59%
    Channel Sales6.74%
    Channel Marketing4.86%
    Salesforce4.20%
  3. Complete relevant channel account manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New channel account managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a channel account manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real channel account manager resumes.
  4. Research channel account manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage key accounts of wholesalers, pharmacies chains and healthcare professionals.
    • Manage a portfolio of 1k+ SMB accounts, which generate $13M in revenue per year.
    • Manage accounts and opportunities with CRM and maximize customer retention with ongoing contact and license renewal management.
    • Manage and coordinate daily sales activities through target cold calling and telemarketing.
  5. Prepare your channel account manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your channel account manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a channel account manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable channel account manager resume templates

    Build a professional channel account manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your channel account manager resume.
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
    Channel Account Manager Resume
  6. Apply for channel account manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a channel account manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first channel account manager job

Zippi

Are you a channel account manager?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average channel account manager salary

The average channel account manager salary in the United States is $97,071 per year or $47 per hour. Channel account manager salaries range between $58,000 and $161,000 per year.

Average channel account manager salary
$97,071 Yearly
$46.67 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do channel account managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Channel account manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Cons

I like everything


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Cons

I don't like Infiltration which is common in Asian countries.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

Strategic Planning to develop and capture new business opportunities, building strong customer/partner relationships and analyzing the financial performance of customers to help improve their financial and operational performance. Negotiations

Cons

Being away from family because of excessive travel


Working as a channel account manager? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse executive management jobs