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Executive sales assistant vs account executive

The differences between executive sales assistants and account executives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an account executive has an average salary of $69,618, which is higher than the $43,765 average annual salary of an executive sales assistant.

The top three skills for an executive sales assistant include payroll, customer service and powerpoint. The most important skills for an account executive are customer service, CRM, and healthcare.

Executive sales assistant vs account executive overview

Executive Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Yearly salary$43,765$69,618
Hourly rate$21.04$33.47
Growth rate-8%5%
Number of jobs125,550205,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4944
Years of experience4-

What does an executive sales assistant do?

An executive sales assistant is an individual who provides administrative and clerical support to the company's sales team. Executive sales assistants must act as a company representative by answering incoming calls and the point person in intercepting potential sales calls and inquiries. They must work closely with the outside sales staff to prepare proposals, media kits, and provide other administrative support. Executive sales assistants must also handle a high volume of customer inquiries by speaking with them using clear and professional language.

What does an account executive do?

An account executive is responsible for supporting existing clients, closing client deals, and developing sales strategies to increase the company's sales and satisfaction. An account executive must be competitive enough to keep up with the constant changes in the sales industry, including the high demands of digital marketing, a different approach to product advertising, effective negotiation, and presentation skills. An account executive also requires excellent communication skills for the successful acquisition of client accounts and immediately resolve possible complaints as they arise.

Executive sales assistant vs account executive salary

Executive sales assistants and account executives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Executive Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Average salary$43,765$69,618
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $63,000Between $44,000 And $109,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Hitachi Vantara
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between executive sales assistant and account executive education

There are a few differences between an executive sales assistant and an account executive in terms of educational background:

Executive Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Executive sales assistant vs account executive demographics

Here are the differences between executive sales assistants' and account executives' demographics:

Executive Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Average age4944
Gender ratioMale, 11.9% Female, 88.1%Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%5%

Differences between executive sales assistant and account executive duties and responsibilities

Executive sales assistant example responsibilities.

  • Maintain and manage customer database, with CRM software, with accuracy and efficiency.
  • Manage all logistics of on-site and off-site high level executive meetings hold by the EVP.
  • Utilize QuickBooks software for accounts receivable, invoicing, credit memos, and managing customer, vendor, and product information.
  • Manage and reconcile accounts payable/receivable, department budget and payroll.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations call sales leads and develop relationships with new customers.
  • Edit images using Photoshop for appraisals.
  • Show more

Account executive example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage Facebook and twitter accounts.
  • Have achieve Google certification for both SEM and SEO sales.
  • Lead proposal team in winning a $1MM RFP, turning around a key account relationship.
  • Manage all aspects of new FedEx implementations (automation set-up, operational support and training of customers).
  • Develop and manage networking, VoIP, IP/TV, video, cloud, wireless, and security/disaster recovery projects.
  • Source all leads by means of cold calling, leveraging linkedin, referrals, and upselling to existing customers.
  • Show more

Executive sales assistant vs account executive skills

Common executive sales assistant skills
  • Payroll, 17%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Salesforce, 4%
  • Customer Database, 4%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
Common account executive skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Sales Process, 5%
  • Salesforce, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%

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