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Field account manager vs key account manager

The differences between field account managers and key 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 field account manager and a key account manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $64,832 average annual salary of a field account manager.

The top three skills for a field account manager include customer service, account management and CRM. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.

Field account manager vs key account manager overview

Field Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Yearly salary$64,832$102,315
Hourly rate$31.17$49.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs180,801160,992
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a field account manager do?

The field account manager is responsible for the management of company sales and maintaining relationships with clients, especially the key accounts, because they hold a small number of clients but contribute a large percentage of the company's sales. They do not manage the day-to-day account itself, but they manage and maintain a good relationship with the client of the account they are assigned to. They basically identify and manage new sales opportunities, solve conflicts with clients, but responsibilities can vary depending on the industry they are working in.

What does a key account manager do?

A key account manager is primarily in charge of handling key clients that produce the most profit for a company or business, ensuring that they remain with them. They are mainly responsible for understanding their clients' needs and long-term goals, ensuring that the key clients get to receive all the necessary services and products in time, and promptly address and resolve any issues and concerns. Furthermore, a key account manager may prepare reports and proposals to team members, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.

Field account manager vs key account manager salary

Field account managers and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Average salary$64,832$102,315
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $97,000Between $75,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Quidel
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between field account manager and key account manager education

There are a few differences between a field account manager and a key account manager in terms of educational background:

Field Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Field account manager vs key account manager demographics

Here are the differences between field account managers' and key account managers' demographics:

Field Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 54.9% Female, 45.1%Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between field account manager and key account manager duties and responsibilities

Field account manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage sales team growth by moving sales associates to an electronic promotion program which double marketing ROI.
  • Provide training in sales, POS systems, and other tools that will help better manage client s businesses.
  • Manage accounts while providing excellent customer service, help build financial relationships, redirecting calls in upselling credit per customer needs
  • Field sales representative offering healthcare solutions in medical products and programs.
  • Coordinate promotional execution at key account level with company DSD operations team as well as various independent distributors covering regional geographies.
  • Co-Own and operate a start-up telephony business utilizing innovative IP technologies.

Key account manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the KAM division in market share expansion and activation for SWS portfolio.
  • Develop and manage GPO partnerships and new relationships in preparation of new product launch.
  • Utilize IRI reporting (CPGN) to deliver key category insights to customer base in order to effectively manage category decisions.
  • Manage company CRM implementation leading to increase sales profitability and customer satisfaction.
  • Provide managed care expertise to industry leading system developers to create web-base solutions for healthcare revenue cycle.
  • Manage services including contract logistics, distribution, and inbound logistics and shipping brokerage along with various additional transportation solutions.
  • Show more

Field account manager vs key account manager skills

Common field account manager skills
  • Customer Service, 30%
  • Account Management, 11%
  • CRM, 10%
  • Sales Territory, 10%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Lead Generation, 6%
Common key account manager skills
  • Account Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Customer Relationships, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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