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Sales assistant vs account executive

The differences between sales assistants and account executives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an account executive has an average salary of $69,618, which is higher than the $35,258 average annual salary of a sales assistant.

The top three skills for a sales assistant include customer service, powerpoint and account executives. The most important skills for an account executive are customer service, CRM, and healthcare.

Sales assistant vs account executive overview

Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Yearly salary$35,258$69,618
Hourly rate$16.95$33.47
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs347,034205,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4144
Years of experience--

What does a sales assistant do?

Sales assistants are usually entry-level or junior employees who are assigned to help out in the sales department. They are responsible for any administrative or clerical activities needed in the department. They may also work on the operations floor to assist with the selling of company products or services. They help complete company sales by approaching potential buyers and answering any questions about items. They should be familiar with what the company offers to identify the products that would best fit the needs of the customer.

What does an account executive do?

An account executive is responsible for supporting existing clients, closing client deals, and developing sales strategies to increase the company's sales and satisfaction. An account executive must be competitive enough to keep up with the constant changes in the sales industry, including the high demands of digital marketing, a different approach to product advertising, effective negotiation, and presentation skills. An account executive also requires excellent communication skills for the successful acquisition of client accounts and immediately resolve possible complaints as they arise.

Sales assistant vs account executive salary

Sales assistants and account executives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Average salary$35,258$69,618
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $44,000 And $109,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAPortland, OR
Highest paying stateNew YorkOregon
Best paying companyIBMHitachi Vantara
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between sales assistant and account executive education

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

Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Sales assistant vs account executive demographics

Here are the differences between sales assistants' and account executives' demographics:

Sales AssistantAccount Executive
Average age4144
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%5%

Differences between sales assistant and account executive duties and responsibilities

Sales assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage numerous, highly confidential details for retirement plan deals from start to finish including meticulous preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
  • Work with 3 AE's billing out 5 million a year.
  • Maintain broadcast files to FCC regulations.
  • Work with NSM with national accounts payables.
  • Negotiate air time for national commercials airing on ABC & CBS.
  • Handle local and national political advertisers with orders and make sure station comply with FCC regulations.
  • Show more

Account executive example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage Facebook and twitter accounts.
  • Have achieve Google certification for both SEM and SEO sales.
  • Lead proposal team in winning a $1MM RFP, turning around a key account relationship.
  • Manage all aspects of new FedEx implementations (automation set-up, operational support and training of customers).
  • Develop and manage networking, VoIP, IP/TV, video, cloud, wireless, and security/disaster recovery projects.
  • Source all leads by means of cold calling, leveraging linkedin, referrals, and upselling to existing customers.
  • Show more

Sales assistant vs account executive skills

Common sales assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 36%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Account Executives, 4%
  • Sales Support, 4%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
  • Sales Reports, 3%
Common account executive skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Healthcare, 5%
  • Sales Process, 5%
  • Salesforce, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%