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The differences between client associates and client relations specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a client associate and a client relations specialist. Additionally, a client associate has an average salary of $45,992, which is higher than the $39,902 average annual salary of a client relations specialist.
The top three skills for a client associate include client service, wealth management and sales support. The most important skills for a client relations specialist are client relations, customer service, and data entry.
| Client Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $45,992 | $39,902 |
| Hourly rate | $22.11 | $19.18 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 191,586 | 200,766 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A client associate is an individual who builds a strong relationship with customers by providing support for their account needs and provides training if necessary. Client associates are required to communicate with their customers either on the phone, through email, or in person. They carry out administrative tasks for financial advisers, such as maintaining client account information and assisting with special projects. Client associates must also collect and analyze competitor data and client usage so that they create new business opportunities.
A client relations specialist is primarily in charge of building positive relationships with clients by providing optimal services. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their company of employment, it typically includes handling customer calls and correspondence, offering products or services, discussing promotions or product specifications, answering inquiries, arranging appointments, resolving issues and concerns, and processing payments or refunds. Moreover, a client relations specialist conducts market research and analysis to identify the current trends and practices, aiming for client satisfaction.
Client associates and client relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $45,992 | $39,902 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $74,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Arrowstreet Capital | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Real Estate |
There are a few differences between a client associate and a client relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Client Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between client associates' and client relations specialists' demographics:
| Client Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0% | Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 6.5% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |