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The differences between sales 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 sales account manager and a key account manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $58,630 average annual salary of a sales account manager.
The top three skills for a sales account manager include customer service, CRM and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.
| Sales Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $58,630 | $102,315 |
| Hourly rate | $28.19 | $49.19 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 163,697 | 160,992 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
The account sales manager is in charge of the retention of their customer relationship. They have to supervise the portfolio of existing clients, develop new business with them, and seek new sales opportunities. Account sales managers act as liaisons between the company and customer as well as build strong, long-lasting relationships by providing an improved customer experience. It is their responsibility to negotiate contracts and close deals to maximize sales profits. Also, they forecast track sales results and prepare reports on account status.
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.
Sales account managers and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sales Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Average salary | $58,630 | $102,315 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $101,000 | Between $75,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Maine |
| Best paying company | Quidel | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a sales account manager and a key account manager in terms of educational background:
| Sales Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | 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 sales account managers' and key account managers' demographics:
| Sales Account Manager | Key Account Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6% | 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% |