Sales account manager vs outside sales manager

The differences between sales account managers and outside sales 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 an outside sales manager. Additionally, an outside sales manager has an average salary of $84,408, 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 an outside sales manager are product knowledge, CRM, and customer service.

Sales account manager vs outside sales manager overview

	Sales Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Yearly salary	$58,630	$84,408
Hourly rate	$28.19	$40.58
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	163,697	138,054
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

What does a sales account manager do?

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.

What does an outside sales manager do?

An outside sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales staff performance in selling goods and services to existing and potential clients and ensuring that the team meets sales objectives. Outside sales managers set reasonable sales targets and establish techniques to maximize the staff's efficiency and productivity. They regularly connect with the clients to determine their needs and make any adjustments to business plans as needed. An outside sales manager should have excellent knowledge of the current market trends to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenues and resources.

Sales account manager vs outside sales manager salary

Sales account managers and outside sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sales Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Average salary	$58,630	$84,408
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $101,000	Between $51,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Albany, NY
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Hawaii
Best paying company	Google	Dominion Enterprises
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between sales account manager and outside sales manager education

There are a few differences between a sales account manager and an outside sales manager in terms of educational background:

	Sales Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Sales account manager vs outside sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between sales account managers' and outside sales managers' demographics:

	Sales Account Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6%	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%
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%

Differences between sales account manager and outside sales manager duties and responsibilities

Sales account manager example responsibilities.

Manage RFQ/RFP responses to telecommunication, government and utility customers utilizing CRM system to manage customers.
Recruit to develop and manage new sales territory selling MRO industrial goods and services to existing and potential customers.
Manage and coordinate daily sales activities through target cold calling and telemarketing.
Organize and maintain existing national clients for process refrigeration and HVAC maintenance and service.
Maintain database, create mailers, and work in SalesForce to determine new possible clients.
Founded in 1935 ATD has grown from a regional family-own company to a successful nationwide distribution enterprise.

Outside sales manager example responsibilities.

Manage a team of sales executives to establish and maintain professional relationships with healthcare professionals in their prospective territories.
Develop a complete marketing program where none previously exist, now serves as CRM base for company.
Used CRM tools in order to provide current and detail information relate to activities, opportunity pipeline, and close business.
Channele marketing through the establishment of international distributors servicing Mexico (Hermosillo, Mexicali, and Tijuana) and Korea.
Plan and schedule work perform by HVAC technicians.
Educate and present new approach to facility managers and plant managers including ROI analysis.

Sales account manager vs outside sales manager skills

Common sales account manager skills

Customer Service, 13%
CRM, 8%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Account Management, 5%
Product Knowledge, 4%
Business Development, 4%

Common outside sales manager skills

Product Knowledge, 12%
CRM, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Sales Territory, 7%
Sales Strategies, 4%
Sales Growth, 3%

Sales Account Manager vs. similar jobs

Sales Account Manager related careers

Sales Account Manager related jobs

Sales Account Manager jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Sales Account Manager
Sales Account Manager vs Outside Sales Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs