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The differences between retail 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 retail account manager and a key account manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $71,641 average annual salary of a retail account manager.
The top three skills for a retail account manager include customer service, customer relationships and account management. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.
| Retail Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $71,641 | $102,315 |
| Hourly rate | $34.44 | $49.19 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 208,971 | 160,992 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A retail account manager is primarily in charge of liaising with retail accounts and suppliers, establishing positive business relationships. Among their responsibilities include researching new business and client opportunities, communicating with key accounts to identify and meet their needs, and develop sales strategies. They may also perform clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, handling calls and correspondence, and maintaining extensive records. Furthermore, as a retail account manager, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to staff while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Retail account managers and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Retail Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Average salary | $71,641 | $102,315 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $120,000 | Between $75,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Maine |
| Best paying company | - | Quidel |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a retail account manager and a key account manager in terms of educational background:
| Retail Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between retail account managers' and key account managers' demographics:
| Retail Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.9% Female, 39.1% | Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 7% | 7% |