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Job outlook for relationship managers in the United States
Relationship manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected relationship manager job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 23,800 new jobs for relationship managers are projected over the next decade.
Relationship manager salaries have increased 12% for relationship managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 10,342 relationship managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 72,920 active relationship manager job openings in the US.
The average relationship manager salary is $83,761.
Are relationship manager jobs in demand?
Relationship manager job and salary trends over time
Relationship manager jobs over time
Relationship manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,342 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 9,302 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 9,482 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,877 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,537 | 0.00% |
Average relationship manager salary over time
Relationship manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $83,761 | $40.27 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $80,183 | $38.55 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $78,651 | $37.81 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $76,650 | $36.85 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $74,688 | $35.91 | +3.6% |
Relationship manager jobs by state
Most common states for relationship managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 192 | 28% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 685 | 10% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 100 | 10% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 480 | 9% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 377 | 9% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 336 | 9% |
| 7 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 270 | 9% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 58 | 9% |
| 9 | California | 39,536,653 | 3,078 | 8% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 963 | 8% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 686 | 8% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 552 | 8% |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 479 | 8% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 436 | 8% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 58 | 8% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 44 | 8% |
| 18 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 531 | 7% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 99 | 7% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 69 | 7% |
Most common cities for relationship managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 5 | 18% | $73,096 |
| 2 | Wilmington | 7 | 10% | $85,396 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | 5 | 8% | $75,565 |
| 4 | Hartford | 5 | 4% | $90,568 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 14 | 3% | $75,214 |
| 6 | Irvine | 7 | 3% | $94,277 |
| 7 | Huntsville | 5 | 3% | $70,675 |
| 8 | San Francisco | 14 | 2% | $111,581 |
| 9 | Boston | 12 | 2% | $93,816 |
| 10 | Sacramento | 10 | 2% | $110,751 |
| 11 | Tampa | 6 | 2% | $68,982 |
| 12 | Chicago | 15 | 1% | $79,671 |
| 13 | Denver | 9 | 1% | $81,038 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 8 | 1% | $73,790 |
| 15 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $86,824 |
| 16 | Minneapolis | 6 | 1% | $80,520 |
| 17 | New York | 18 | 0% | $103,831 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 10 | 0% | $96,391 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 6 | 0% | $79,142 |
Relationship Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of relationship manager experts
The University of West Florida
Christopher Newport University
Andrews University
Valdosta State University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Penn State Behrend
Indiana University Southeast
William Paterson University
Minnesota State University Moorhead
University of Minnesota
Buffalo State College
Missouri State University
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.
Professor of AccountingThe University of West Florida
Department of Accounting and Finance
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Relationship Managers?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: In a word, yes. The adjustments that both individuals and businesses have made during this time have shifted our expectations for life and work. For a generation of students who were already tech-natives, the shift to more technology-enabled interactions has reinforced the "click-to-do" mentality. And for non-tech-natives, the roll-out of intuitive, easy-to-use apps has overcome much of their resistance to these types of interactions. These shifts have affected everything from business meetings to family reunions and from buying lunch to meeting with your doctor. However, graduates will need to grow beyond being technology consumers. They must be able to effectively use technology to deliver a company's value proposition, especially in service-oriented fields such as accounting, finance, law, medicine, and consulting.
What soft skills should all Relationship Managers possess?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Similar to the answer above, oral and written communication skills have been important for a number of years, but in our current environment, these skills have become much more important. Our ability to pick up on the context surrounding email messages is reduced since we have fewer in-person interactions, and even our virtual meetings eliminate much of the body language that we use--both consciously and unconsciously--to interpret what other people mean by what they say. Thus, candidates will stand out when they can clearly articulate their thoughts in both written form, via email or chat, and in oral form, via the ubiquitous "Brady Bunch" layout on their coworkers' computer screens.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Relationship Managers?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Although the use of office productivity software has been important for a number of years, the importance of fluency with these types of programs has been heightened by our increased virtual interactions. In addition, the use of online collaboration tools has grown and will continue to grow. Thus, candidates will stand out when they demonstrate knowledge/skill (e.g., certification) with respect to basic collaborative productivity tools as well as specific technology commonly used in their career fields.
Todd Lee Goen
Instructor & Internship DirectorChristopher Newport University
Department of Communication
What technical skills for a Relationship Manager stand out to employers?
Todd Lee Goen: Technical skills are often industry and/or position specific. Applicants should highlight any technical skills related to the position advertisement and those that add value to the position/organization. Most importantly, requirements for technical skills change with time and technological advances. This means employers value workers capable of adapting to change and continually improving and acquiring new technical skills. Thus, it's usually more important to demonstrate you are capable of learning and developing technical skills than it is to have a specific skill set upon hire (although this is not true for some positions/industries).
That said, technical skills related to online presentations, virtual meetings, virtual networking, remote working and the like are hot commodities right now. While most organizations were in the process of adopting many of these technologies and ways of doing business pre-pandemic, the pandemic accelerated the process. Organizations are making it work, but they often don't know best practices or the most efficient means of working in the largely virtual, pandemic environment. Post-pandemic, many of the remote/virtual changes the pandemic brought will stay in some form. Technical skills that support this type of workplace will make applicants stand out to many employers because they need/want to do virtual/remote business better.
What's a good job out of college for Relationship Managers?
Todd Lee Goen: Pandemic or no pandemic, the best job out of college is one that sets you on the path to achieve your ultimate career goal(s). Reflect on where you want to be in five or ten years or even twenty-five years. Then consider positions that will set you on the path to achieve that goal. Very few people land their dream job upon graduation - dream jobs are typically those we're not qualified to do without some additional work experience and training. A good job is one that will help you achieve your goal(s) - just don't frame it that way in the interview.
Good jobs pay a livable salary for the location, offer benefits (health insurance and retirement at minimum), and provide professional development opportunities (these can take a variety of forms). Too often, college grads overlook professional development. If an employer isn't willing to invest in you, there's no guarantee you will succeed in the job. Good employers understand they need qualified employees who continually develop their skills and abilities, and good employers will make sure employees have the resources they need to succeed.
What technical skills for a Relationship Manager stand out to employers?
Todd Lee Goen: Technical skills are often industry and/or position specific. Applicants should highlight any technical skills related to the position advertisement and those that add value to the position/organization. Most importantly, requirements for technical skills change with time and technological advances. This means employers value workers capable of adapting to change and continually improving and acquiring new technical skills. Thus, it's usually more important to demonstrate you are capable of learning and developing technical skills than it is to have a specific skill set upon hire (although this is not true for some positions/industries).
That said, technical skills related to online presentations, virtual meetings, virtual networking, remote working and the like are hot commodities right now. While most organizations were in the process of adopting many of these technologies and ways of doing business pre-pandemic, the pandemic accelerated the process. Organizations are making it work, but they often don't know best practices or the most efficient means of working in the largely virtual, pandemic environment. Post-pandemic, many of the remote/virtual changes the pandemic brought will stay in some form. Technical skills that support this type of workplace will make applicants stand out to many employers because they need/want to do virtual/remote business better.
Lucile Sabas
Associate Professor of Finance & EconomicsAndrews University
School of Business Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Relationship Manager job market given the pandemic?
Lucile Sabas: Several features will characterize the labor market hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Among them we can underline the five major following ones according to our analysis of the current situation:
1.A decrease in the job creation annual growth rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), foresees that over the next decade, this rate will be 0.4%, way below the 1.3% of the past decade 2009-2019. Even though the BLS projections data do not include the pandemic impacts, we assert that the trend mentioned could be maintained due to the changes that we can observe in the economy. It's also important to notice that this is a long run trend, and therefore, the projection remains valid.
2.A decrease in the labor force participation (LFP). The major factors that explain the decrease in the LFP can be mentioned as follows:
- An increase in retirements and early retirements. Many aged workers who had the possibility chose to leave the labor force due to the risks of virus contamination.
- In the category of young workers, some have seized the opportunity of distance learning for further education in the midst of a changing labor market.
- The number of discouraged workers increased because of the shifting skills requirements in the labor market and the fear of the contamination risks.
3.The emergence or reinforcement of some sectors at the expense of others. Yet, the unemployment rate increased significantly between April and June and remained higher than the 5.3% natural unemployment rate of the country; however, many sectors are still hiring and are performing very well. We'll see a conformation of this trend over the next years. For examples, the technology and NTIC sectors, as well as the e-commerce along with the transportation activities that come with it, the health and lifestyle and pharmaceutical sectors, the entertainment sector, and online education are the ones that experienced a revitalization and are expected to continue growing.
4.Due to this sectoral restructuration of our economy, the disparity between the skills requirements of the labor market and the skills currently available is increasingly visible.
5.The new organization of the workplace and the professional relations due to the COVID-19, led to a series of new activities or reinforcement of some exiting ones that still were low or experimental. More and more businesses are moving online and therefore, are moving global through the internet. This will lead to an increase in demand for a series of competencies that international business graduates will be able to find their way in. We can mention for example, foreign and internal market analysts, market trends analysts, bilingualism, e-managers and e-commerce specialists, international marketers, specialists in international finance and payments, specialists in International sales and negotiation (International marketing), approach to foreign markets and commercial communication specialists. Graduates with high competencies and skills in all these domains, will easily find their way in this new environment.
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral ProgramValdosta State University
Department of Curriculum, Leadership, and Technology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Relationship Manager job market given the pandemic?
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.: This is an interesting question. On one hand, I expect organizations are treading water right now related to new hires while they weather the current atypical pandemic business conditions and an uncertain future. I know budgets in many industries, including public education, have been frozen. On the other hand, the pandemic has brought new challenges to how people work. New processes have been developed and are being utilized to allow productivity to continue. Many of these changes require employees to be trained to do these new process and use new productivity tools, which provides excellent opportunities for people with the ability to train others especially with technology related skills. I expect individuals with technology training skills will be in high demand even with the tight budgets. If, and when, the effects of the pandemic start to recede, I expect all organizations will look to shore-up human resource gaps where those needs exist.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Relationship Managers to find work opportunities?
Herbert Fiester Ph.D.: I used to think of "place" as a geographic location, but with the technological changes that have occurred within the past several years, and especially this past year, many doors have opened to allow flexible working conditions. Telecommuting, remote work, working from home, and telework, which were once frowned upon by many employers, have now been embraced. With this new acceptance, "place" becomes much less about geographic location and much more about industry type. I have not observed a lot of activity in higher education and P-12 domains lately due to the pandemic and tight budgets, and industry probably holds the most opportunity. Applicants who are willing to work in flexible work models will have access to many more job opportunities.
What Relationship Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Celeste Spier Ph.D.: If a student opts to take a gap year, recommended skills to gain include the Naceweb sought by employers according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which are critical thinking, communication, teamwork, digital technology, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, and global/intercultural fluency. Technical skills are especially powerful in catching the eye of a recruiter in today's job market. Many free resources like EdX and Coursera exist to boost technical skills at no cost. For students who are taking a gap year because they are uncertain of their future career goals, their gap year should focus on exploration and reflection to ensure they end the year with a better sense of direction and next steps.
What general advice would you give to a Relationship Manager?
Celeste Spier Ph.D.: My advice would focus on three areas. First, adopt a growth/learner mindset. While your college degree has given you a great foundation of knowledge and skills, there is still much to learn. Second, build a community of support. Work (and life) are all about relationships. Put extra focus on building and maintaining strong relationships at work as well as outside of work. Finally, establish healthy work habits. Organizing your work, managing distraction, and getting the important work done (well and on time) are all essential skills for today's employees.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Relationship Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Owens Ph.D.: Historically, the greatest number of jobs in international business have been located in the major trade areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. However, the work from anywhere trend could open more opportunities for international business in areas outside traditional trade centers.
What Relationship Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Uric Dufrene: First, I would not recommend a gap year. One of the skills that is critically important, regardless of the time period, is adaptability. Learning how to adapt to the circumstances around you is a skill that is valued in the workplace, regardless of the year. This is a key part of problem solving. Solving problems with the conditions and resources on hand will prepare you for a lifelong success in any field. As a graduate develops a reputation for problem solving, they emerge as a "go to" employee and will be seen by others as a leader, in their department or company.
What skills stand out on Relationship Manager resumes?
Giuliana Andreopoulos: I do not think that the pandemic has been and will be able to reverse the importance of certain skills on students` resumes. There is no doubt in my mind that communication, team working, problem solving, leadership, still come at the top of the list for business students. However, the pandemic has added new skills: ability to work remotely, manage crisis, and deal with data. We hope that Business Colleges and Schools will take into consideration these new developments when they plan new courses, programs, or certificates.
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorMinnesota State University Moorhead
Paseka School of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Relationship Manager job market given the pandemic?
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.: During this unprecedented context, the biggest trends in the marketing job market would be three parts - 1) Hyper-competition in the shrunk size of the job markets, 2) Emerging virtual (or remote) work environment at the home office, and 3) Salary and/or compensation reduction in the workplaces.
First, on average, the unemployment rate has been drastically increased while the job positions were (temporarily) eliminated in 2020 due primarily to the negative effect of the pandemic across industry sectors. Also, the pandemic situation has accelerated the job positions by replacing humans with AI (artificial intelligence) and machines (e.g., automation and/or touchless system), shrinking the total size of the job market. As a result, the given conditions inevitably entail hyper-competitions by creating a new structural environment in the job market for two or three years from now. This situational tendency would accelerate in the manufacturing and service industry sectors. Second, due to safety reasons by following the CDC regulation, many firms have changed the workplace from firms' office to home office, although several labor-intensive sectors had minimized this change (e.g., retailers and restaurants). This replacement of the workplace has increased the virtual or remote oriented work environment. Third, overall costs for maintaining businesses increase while declining profits - tight budget for business sustainability to survive in the current market. This circumstance tends to reduce overall marketing costs as well as the labor force-related costs (salaries, compensations, and benefits).
Nonetheless, the job positions in analyzing consumer behavior and psychology would be sustainable in the marketing-related job market, such as the job areas related to market and marketing analyses, online consumer analyses, and similar fields across the industry sectors.
What general advice would you give to a Relationship Manager?
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.: I have frequently observed anxieties about the new job and doubts about their capability toward uncertainties to the new journey and future. This encountered situation is a very different immediate environment beyond their comfort zone, which is rarely experienced in the school-affiliated environment. Accordingly, I have commonly given relatable and motivational advice to encourage my advisees and mentees; but importantly, the advice should be tailored to an individual's interests and circumstances since all individuals are not the same. Although I cannot describe all the individual cases here, I have commonly encouraged my students and mentees who first step into their careers as follows.
'Trust yourself and realize and develop your potentials. Enjoy your job for achieving your happiness.'
I believe having confidence and realizing potentials are critical factors to enter and adapt to new fields. Since humans, as we are, experience repeatedly mistakes and successes during the lifespan, we should recognize the rises and falls. In this premise, we should trust ourselves and develop our potentials as a baseline. Also, I believe we attempt to begin with a career path for achieving happiness by doing where individuals have values. Although some discussion points exist to establish the personal meaning of happiness (e.g., financial status, job security, etc.), pursuing happiness is an innate and ultimate goal to us all the time.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Relationship Manager job market given the pandemic?
Geoff Kaufmann: Working remotely and integration of personal and professional lives and in many cases increased productivity of those workers.
What Relationship Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Geoff Kaufmann: Just get experience working anywhere and with teams. If they can get any leadership role, the better.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Relationship Manager job market given the pandemic?
Annemarie Franczyk: Workplaces will be shifting to remote formats as businesses discover how much money is to be saved by not having to pay rent, a mortgage, WiFi, utilities and other expenses of a brick-and-mortar location. Workers will need to continue to prove to bosses that they can work independently and be productive and responsive from their home offices. Today's students and tomorrow's workers will have had that experience in spades for more than a year as the majority of courses and many activities moved online. Therefore, they and will be poised to do quite well the new and evolving remote employment environment.
What general advice would you give to a Relationship Manager?
Annemarie Franczyk: Never settle and never settle down. Both notions suggest dropping where you are and staying put and being hopelessly stuck. When you're hopelessly stuck, you're not learning, growing and advancing. Always look for the next opportunity to do something interesting. Take chances. If you do, you will have a lifetime of no regrets.
What Relationship Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerri Lynn Kyle: Whatever your career goals are, stay informed! Keep up to date with what's going on in the world, and what's happening in your field. A lot can happen in 24 hours, so imagine what happens in a year. Just because a student takes a year off, doesn't mean learning has to stop. I recommend volunteering or interning to gain experience in your field and stay up to date on trends. It's important to remember that a gap year refers to a gap in time, not a gap in learning or productivity. Continue to live for your purpose!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Relationship Manager job market given the pandemic?
Jerri Lynn Kyle: There are three major lessons I think we have learned from the pandemic that will affect us moving forward in the job market. First, we learned how much we rely on technology. Second, we learned how capable technology is in allowing us to change our "business as usual" operation, adapt, and continue to move forward. Third, we learned in most cases, that working remotely does not result in lower workplace productivity. We have digitized every industry to some degree, and we are not going back!
What we have gained in innovative ways to reach our stakeholders will continue in some way. Now, how does that translate to the job market? Digital literacy. There will be an increased need for digital communication strategists in every industry. The need for people who can design, develop, and maintain platforms will grow, with an increased emphasis on analysis of performance and results. We are a data driven society, and digital communication provides the data needed for strategists to help organizations accomplish their goals.