Key account representative vs account representative

The differences between key account representatives and account representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a key account representative, becoming an account representative takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a key account representative has an average salary of $48,841, which is higher than the $36,977 average annual salary of an account representative.

The top three skills for a key account representative include business development, account management and product knowledge. The most important skills for an account representative are customer service, patients, and patient accounts.

Key account representative vs account representative overview

	Key Account Representative	Account Representative
Yearly salary	$48,841	$36,977
Hourly rate	$23.48	$17.78
Growth rate	4%	-8%
Number of jobs	236,207	183,446
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	47	46
Years of experience	4	12

What does a key account representative do?

A key account representative identifies opportunities for increasing sales and defines outreach strategies. Key account representatives find, develop, and maintain customer accounts. The account representatives serve as the main point of contact between an organization and its clients. They make regular communication with the clients, address their concerns, and track their transactions and payments. Part of their job is to present expanded and new opportunities to the clients. They have to be adaptable and have empathy in performing their job. Among the skills they need to develop include people or communication skills, relationship building, and time management.

What does an account representative do?

Account representatives are employees who manage client accounts and act as the main contact of the clients they are handling. They maintain existing accounts by updating client details regularly. They also check up on clients to see if they are still satisfied with the products or services of the company. They also create new accounts by welcoming new clients and assisting them in their needs. Account representatives manage client inquiries and process client requests. They also address complaints and ensure that any challenges are mitigated and that clients remain with the company.

Key account representative vs account representative salary

Key account representatives and account representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Key Account Representative	Account Representative
Average salary	$48,841	$36,977
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $69,000	Between $26,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	-	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	New Relic
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between key account representative and account representative education

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

	Key Account Representative	Account Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	-

Key account representative vs account representative demographics

Here are the differences between key account representatives' and account representatives' demographics:

	Key Account Representative	Account Representative
Average age	47	46
Gender ratio	Male, 52.3% Female, 47.7%	Male, 33.6% Female, 66.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 3.9% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between key account representative and account representative duties and responsibilities

Key account representative example responsibilities.

Evaluate monthly budgets and territory saturation levels quarterly while managing lease renewals through needs analysis and ROI presentations
Prepare catalogs, PowerPoint presentations, and cost spreadsheets in accordance with client product requests and within budgetary parameters.
Develop concepts and procedures, analyze and resolve general ledger interfaces with computerize payroll, time tracking and project accounting system.
Install and maintain software, hardware and networking and troubleshoot computer systems for problems ranging from software incompatibilities to electrical problems.

Account representative example responsibilities.

Manage all billing accounts including Medicare/Medicaid, HMO and individual accounts.
Manage the daily correspondence from assign practices with keeping doctor/patient confidentiality under consideration along with HIPPA regulations.
Manage and maintain an internal database system to generate reports and produce accurate account information for patients and insurance companies.
Educate physicians to use current ICD-9 diagnostic coding and preparation to begin ICD-10 coding requirements.
Analyze health care insurance/litigation patient account files to resolve outstanding and delinquent accounts due to the healthcare client.
Promote ThermoCool SmartTouch ablation catheter device to electrophysiologists.

Key account representative vs account representative skills

Common key account representative skills

Business Development, 15%
Account Management, 12%
Product Knowledge, 12%
Post Sales, 10%
Customer Complaints, 7%
CRM, 5%

Common account representative skills

Customer Service, 21%
Patients, 18%
Patient Accounts, 5%
Data Entry, 3%
Medicaid, 3%
Customer Satisfaction, 3%

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Sales Industry
Key Account Representative
Key Account Representative vs Account Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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