Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between client relationship 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 client relationship manager and an account manager. Additionally, a client relationship manager has an average salary of $89,226, which is higher than the $68,535 average annual salary of an account manager.
The top three skills for a client relationship manager include customer service, client service and client satisfaction. The most important skills for an account manager are customer service, account management, and healthcare.
| Client Relationship Manager | Account Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $89,226 | $68,535 |
| Hourly rate | $42.90 | $32.95 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 85,793 | 152,261 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
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.
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.
Client relationship managers and account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Relationship Manager | Account Manager | |
| Average salary | $89,226 | $68,535 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $139,000 | Between $42,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Fenwick & West | NVIDIA |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a client relationship manager and an account manager in terms of educational background:
| Client Relationship Manager | Account Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between client relationship managers' and account managers' demographics:
| Client Relationship Manager | Account Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2% |
| 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% |