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The differences between client managers and client relationship 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 client manager and a client relationship manager. Additionally, a client relationship manager has an average salary of $89,226, which is higher than the $88,768 average annual salary of a client manager.
The top three skills for a client manager include customer service, account management and client facing. The most important skills for a client relationship manager are customer service, client service, and client satisfaction.
| Client Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $88,768 | $89,226 |
| Hourly rate | $42.68 | $42.90 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 118,707 | 85,793 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A client manager acts as a liaison between the company and its clients. You are expected to ensure client satisfaction and excellent customer service. Your duties typically include managing client relationships, delivering proposals, and developing account plans. In addition, you are responsible for improving customer experience, communicating with customers and answering their inquiries, and managing and resolving conflicts. As a client manager, you are expected to supervise clients and internal teams, lead the execution of projects, and to work with clients and partner agencies in developing business objectives.
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 managers and client relationship managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Average salary | $88,768 | $89,226 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $132,000 | Between $57,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Baker McKenzie | Fenwick & West |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a client manager and a client relationship manager in terms of educational background:
| Client Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between client managers' and client relationship managers' demographics:
| Client Manager | Client Relationship Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.8% Female, 52.2% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 7% | 7% |