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The differences between key account managers and relationship 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 a relationship manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $83,761 average annual salary of a relationship manager.
The top three skills for a key account manager include account management, customer service and patients. The most important skills for a relationship manager are client relationships, work ethic, and strong work ethic.
| Key Account Manager | Relationship Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $102,315 | $83,761 |
| Hourly rate | $49.19 | $40.27 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 160,992 | 72,920 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
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.
A relationship manager is responsible for maintaining a positive and professional relationship with customers and business partners, ensuring the highest customer satisfaction and good reputation. Relationship managers advise management on identifying business opportunities by analyzing the current market trends that would help generate revenues and increase its profitability. They connect with the marketing and sales team for product and services innovation, create compelling sales pitches, and develop customer service processes to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns efficiently.
Key account managers and relationship managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Key Account Manager | Relationship Manager | |
| Average salary | $102,315 | $83,761 |
| Salary range | Between $75,000 And $138,000 | Between $56,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | New York |
| Best paying company | Quidel | |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Finance |
There are a few differences between a key account manager and a relationship manager in terms of educational background:
| Key Account Manager | Relationship Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between key account managers' and relationship managers' demographics:
| Key Account Manager | Relationship Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9% | Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5% |
| 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% |