Key account manager vs outside sales manager

The differences between key account managers and outside sales 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 key account manager and an outside sales manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $84,408 average annual salary of an outside sales manager.

The top three skills for a key account manager include account management, customer service and patients. The most important skills for an outside sales manager are product knowledge, CRM, and customer service.

Key account manager vs outside sales manager overview

	Key Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Yearly salary	$102,315	$84,408
Hourly rate	$49.19	$40.58
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	160,992	138,054
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

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.

What does an outside sales manager do?

An outside sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales staff performance in selling goods and services to existing and potential clients and ensuring that the team meets sales objectives. Outside sales managers set reasonable sales targets and establish techniques to maximize the staff's efficiency and productivity. They regularly connect with the clients to determine their needs and make any adjustments to business plans as needed. An outside sales manager should have excellent knowledge of the current market trends to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenues and resources.

Key account manager vs outside sales manager salary

Key account managers and outside sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Key Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Average salary	$102,315	$84,408
Salary range	Between $75,000 And $138,000	Between $51,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Albany, NY
Highest paying state	Maine	Hawaii
Best paying company	Quidel	Dominion Enterprises
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Finance

Differences between key account manager and outside sales manager education

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

	Key Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Key account manager vs outside sales manager demographics

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

	Key Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%
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%

Differences between key account manager and outside sales manager duties and responsibilities

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.

Outside sales manager example responsibilities.

Manage a team of sales executives to establish and maintain professional relationships with healthcare professionals in their prospective territories.
Develop a complete marketing program where none previously exist, now serves as CRM base for company.
Used CRM tools in order to provide current and detail information relate to activities, opportunity pipeline, and close business.
Channele marketing through the establishment of international distributors servicing Mexico (Hermosillo, Mexicali, and Tijuana) and Korea.
Plan and schedule work perform by HVAC technicians.
Educate and present new approach to facility managers and plant managers including ROI analysis.

Key account manager vs outside sales manager skills

Common key account manager skills

Account Management, 10%
Customer Service, 7%
Patients, 6%
CRM, 6%
Customer Relationships, 5%
Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

Common outside sales manager skills

Product Knowledge, 12%
CRM, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Sales Territory, 7%
Sales Strategies, 4%
Sales Growth, 3%

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Key Account Manager
Key Account Manager vs Outside Sales Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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