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The differences between client service 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 service associate and a client relations specialist. Additionally, a client service associate has an average salary of $46,874, which is higher than the $39,902 average annual salary of a client relations specialist.
The top three skills for a client service associate include client service, customer service and client relationships. The most important skills for a client relations specialist are client relations, customer service, and data entry.
| Client Service Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $46,874 | $39,902 |
| Hourly rate | $22.54 | $19.18 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 192,048 | 200,766 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Client service associates are professionals who offer their services to their clients, including financial advisors. They perform various tasks, including communicating with clients through written correspondence, telephone or electronic means, update and maintain client accounts, documents, and transactions, and resolving customer complaints. They may perform some administrative tasks such as organizing meetings, booking conference rooms, and preparing reports. They are also expected to notify clients about the latest products or services and ensure compliance with regulatory rules.
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 service associates and client relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Service Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $46,874 | $39,902 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $74,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Greenwich, CT | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Real Estate |
There are a few differences between a client service associate and a client relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Client Service Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between client service associates' and client relations specialists' demographics:
| Client Service Associate | Client Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% | Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 53.9% 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% |