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The differences between client relationship managers and business development managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a client relationship manager, becoming a business development manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a business development manager has an average salary of $100,769, which is higher than the $89,226 average annual salary of a client relationship manager.
The top three skills for a client relationship manager include customer service, client service and client satisfaction. The most important skills for a business development manager are customer service, CRM, and healthcare.
| Client Relationship Manager | Business Development Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $89,226 | $100,769 |
| Hourly rate | $42.90 | $48.45 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 85,793 | 215,309 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 10 |
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.
A business development manager's duties include identifying business opportunities, developing effective models and strategies to improve business performance, searching for potential clients to generate income and attract partnerships. A business development manager must have extensive knowledge of the market trends and adjust strategies as needed to meet the needs of the client. Excellent communication, decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills are just some of the key factors that business development managers should possess to communicate and negotiate with the clients.
Client relationship managers and business development managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Relationship Manager | Business Development Manager | |
| Average salary | $89,226 | $100,769 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $139,000 | Between $67,000 And $151,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Fenwick & West | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a client relationship manager and a business development manager in terms of educational background:
| Client Relationship Manager | Business Development Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between client relationship managers' and business development managers' demographics:
| Client Relationship Manager | Business Development Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 68.6% Female, 31.4% |
| 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, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 10% |