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Key account representative vs national account representative

The differences between key account representatives and national account representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a key account representative and a national account representative. Additionally, a key account representative has an average salary of $48,841, which is higher than the $44,826 average annual salary of a national account representative.

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

Key account representative vs national account representative overview

Key Account RepresentativeNational Account Representative
Yearly salary$48,841$44,826
Hourly rate$23.48$21.55
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs236,207204,509
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

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 a national account representative do?

A national account representative plays a pivotal role in managing client relationships. These professionals manage relationships for high-value customers, especially those who invest vast amounts in the company or those who have stayed in the organization for an extended period. In general, the national account representative's primary goal is to foster trust. National account representatives identify new business opportunities and make sales calls. To qualify as a national account representative, you must possess a bachelor's degree in this field, primarily in business administration.

Key account representative vs national account representative salary

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

Key Account RepresentativeNational Account Representative
Average salary$48,841$44,826
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $69,000Between $30,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between key account representative and national account representative education

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

Key Account RepresentativeNational Account Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Key account representative vs national account representative demographics

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

Key Account RepresentativeNational Account Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 52.3% Female, 47.7%Male, 54.5% Female, 45.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between key account representative and national 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.

National account representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage and assist a vast customer base in the market for new roofing needs after a large hail storm in Lubbock.
  • Increase revenue through upselling new specialize testing options with key clinic staff and physicians.
  • Provide sales and technical support to distributors and OEM'S in the electrical distribution industry.
  • Maintain continuous contact with customers, including OEM, distribution, system integrators and end users.
  • Maintain continuous communication with warehouse managers, third party administrators, injure employees and healthcare professionals.
  • Respond to inquiries from medical providers, hospitals and other healthcare facilities regarding eligibility and claim status.
  • Show more

Key account representative vs national 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 national account representative skills
  • National Accounts, 17%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Product Knowledge, 13%
  • Account Management, 5%
  • Sales Growth, 4%
  • Trade Shows, 3%