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Channel manager vs account manager

The differences between channel managers and 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 a channel manager and an account manager. Additionally, a channel manager has an average salary of $87,573, which is higher than the $68,535 average annual salary of an account manager.

The top three skills for a channel manager include customer service, CRM and digital marketing. The most important skills for an account manager are customer service, account management, and healthcare.

Channel manager vs account manager overview

Channel ManagerAccount Manager
Yearly salary$87,573$68,535
Hourly rate$42.10$32.95
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs106,753152,261
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a channel manager do?

A channel manager is responsible for supervising client relations within the assigned partner accounts. Channel managers handle the project management strategies to achieve clients' satisfaction by following their specifications and requirements. They manage marketing and promotional campaigns to improve brand awareness of the target market audience. A channel manager also oversees media relations techniques, as well as publishing digital content that would attract customers and generate more revenue resources for the business. A channel manager coordinates with channel partners for maintaining optimal performance and maximum productivity.

What does an account manager do?

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.

Channel manager vs account manager salary

Channel managers and account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Channel ManagerAccount Manager
Average salary$87,573$68,535
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $121,000Between $42,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyMetaNVIDIA
Best paying industryProfessionalTechnology

Differences between channel manager and account manager education

There are a few differences between a channel manager and an account manager in terms of educational background:

Channel ManagerAccount Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Channel manager vs account manager demographics

Here are the differences between channel managers' and account managers' demographics:

Channel ManagerAccount Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 70.1% Female, 29.9%Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between channel manager and account manager duties and responsibilities

Channel manager example responsibilities.

  • Use SalesForce to keep track of customers and prospective leads information.
  • Manage social media advertising, SEO and PCP advertising as part of daily tasks.
  • Manage and communicate with over 2600 VAR's/reseller accounts at industry relate conferences, user groups and tradeshows.
  • Manage multinational marketing group in strategic marketing and channel development in the Americas, EMEA and APJK.
  • Launch and manage the domestic distribution go-to-market channel strategy.
  • Develop co-marketing business plans resulting in YoY growth with several manage partners.
  • Show more

Account manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage financial departments with responsibility for managing payroll, bank re-consolidations, bank deposits, budgeting and cost control.
  • Manage $4 million territory encompassing three Mid-Atlantic states.
  • Manage new business and renewals for leading Saas legal solution.
  • Manage an inside sales territory of multiple states with Avaya technology solutions.
  • Negotiate and manage all contracts and pricing for IDN's in the territory.
  • Manage customers' accounts utilizing laptop and internet base CMS reporting software and ADM field guide.
  • Show more

Channel manager vs account manager skills

Common channel manager skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Channel Marketing, 4%
  • Cloud, 4%
Common account manager skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Account Management, 8%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%

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