How To Become A National Account Executive: What It Is and Career Path

What is a national account executive and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

A national account executive manages customer relationships and is in charge of identifying new business opportunities. Your responsibilities in this role include managing the sales funnel from the acquisition of new customers till a deal is sealed or a product is sold. The national account executive also provides after-sales support to ensure customer loyalty. Plus, the national account executive is in charge of finding new sales opportunities and creates a detailed business plan based on predetermined business goals and objectives.

One of the most important requirements for this role is analytical skills. Account executives work with both customers and internal teams so good communication skills and leadership ability are necessary for this role. A business or marketing degree is the minimum academic requirement for this role. You must be proficient in mathematics, and must be able to work in a team. Averagely, national account executives earn about $95,000 yearly.

What general advice would you give to a national account executive?

Kaustav Misra Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Central Connecticut State University

I have spent almost two decades in the higher education industry and about a decade in administration. I often advised students, and it is astonishing to see how many of these students do not plan for their future. A good plan is a starting point to lead a good and successful career and life. Hence, by all means, it is worth noting that developing a future-oriented focus is important, so taking time to streamline the plan should be an important exercise for every graduate before they begin to do anything.

ScoreNational Account ExecutiveUS Average

Salary

5.9

Avg. Salary $75,924

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 5.72%

Black or African American 7.07%

Hispanic or Latino 15.65%

Unknown 4.08%

White 67.09%

Gender

female 34.26%

male 65.74%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a national account executive

Explore national account executive education requirements

Most common national account executive degrees

Bachelor's

82.1 %

Associate

7.5 %

Master's

6.8 %

Start to develop specific national account executive skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	10.32%
Healthcare	5.90%
Account Management	5.79%
PowerPoint	5.68%
National Accounts	5.59%

Research national account executive duties and responsibilities

Manage a customer relations management (CRM) system by inputting customer orders and information necessary to manage each account.
Use SalesForce to effective manage current relationships and new prospects.
Utilize SalesForce daily in order to effectively prospect and manage sales cycle.
Manage and negotiate contracts with large strategic IDNs while supporting GPO management.

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