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National account manager vs key account manager

The differences between national account managers and key account 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 national account manager and a key account manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $96,948 average annual salary of a national account manager.

The top three skills for a national account manager include account management, customer service and national accounts. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.

National account manager vs key account manager overview

National Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Yearly salary$96,948$102,315
Hourly rate$46.61$49.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs152,555160,992
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a national account manager do?

A national account manager is an individual who is responsible for maintaining strong relationships with key accounts from a particular region. To ensure long-term success, federal account managers must act as a liaison between customers and the internal team by achieving the customers' needs and requirements. They must identify and create attractive strategies to bring new customers and gain revenues. Also, candidates for national account managers must possess excellent interpersonal skills and experience managing national accounts.

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.

National account manager vs key account manager salary

National account managers and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

National Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Average salary$96,948$102,315
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $127,000Between $75,000 And $138,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMaine
Best paying companyAmazonQuidel
Best paying industryTechnologyPharmaceutical

Differences between national account manager and key account manager education

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

National Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

National account manager vs key account manager demographics

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

National Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 70.7% Female, 29.3%Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between national account manager and key account manager duties and responsibilities

National account manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve ROI optimization for key retailers nationwide; employ consultative sales methodology.
  • Managed/Analyze individual account POS numbers to assist in forecasting, manage inventory and overall category management.
  • Manage OEM relationship from a proactive consultative role proposing strategy and tactics for client base on research data and marketing/engagement metrics.
  • Improve sales process documentation by utilizing CRM to better communicate with field sales staff in idealizing customer interactions.
  • Close multi-million dollar deals with DOD agencies.
  • Provide enterprise class products including servers, storage, networking, virtualization, and, datacenter solutions.
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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.
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National account manager vs key account manager skills

Common national account manager skills
  • Account Management, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • National Accounts, 8%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • CRM, 4%
  • Customer Relationships, 4%
Common key account manager skills
  • Account Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Customer Relationships, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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