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The differences between client development managers and client relationship managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a client development manager, becoming a client relationship manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a client relationship manager has an average salary of $89,226, which is higher than the $88,179 average annual salary of a client development manager.
The top three skills for a client development manager include C++, account management and powerpoint. The most important skills for a client relationship manager are customer service, client service, and client satisfaction.
| Client Development Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $88,179 | $89,226 |
| Hourly rate | $42.39 | $42.90 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 162,599 | 85,793 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 39 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 8 |
A client development manager cultivates and develops relationships with their regular and prospective clients. Client development managers track trends, opportunities, competitors, and challenges for sales. It is part of their job to document scheduled time and interactions in organizational software. They make negotiations and supervise outreach and sales activities. Also, they offer feedback and suggestions to improve customer satisfaction, maximize retention, and to increase the ROI of the clients in the industry.
Client Relationship Managers handle special client accounts for the company. They are usually assigned to essential clients or corporate accounts. They ensure that the company keeps these clients engaged. Client Relationship Managers work hard to build professional working relationships. They give special attention to the assigned client accounts and provide clients with updates on company services and promotions. They tend to any concerns that clients may have, and they ensure that these concerns are properly addressed and resolved. Client Relationship Managers are entrusted to build and strengthen the company's relationship with a client. As such, they are expected to be professional, friendly, and collaborative.
Client development managers and client relationship managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Development Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Average salary | $88,179 | $89,226 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $132,000 | Between $57,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Fenwick & West |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a client development manager and a client relationship manager in terms of educational background:
| Client Development Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between client development managers' and client relationship managers' demographics:
| Client Development Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Average age | 39 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.1% Female, 39.9% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% 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 Percentage | 10% | 7% |