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Sales representative and account manager vs key account manager

The differences between sales representative and 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 representative and account manager and a key account manager. Additionally, a key account manager has an average salary of $102,315, which is higher than the $65,417 average annual salary of a sales representative and account manager.

The top three skills for a sales representative and account manager include customer service, business relationships and sales process. The most important skills for a key account manager are account management, customer service, and patients.

Sales representative and account manager vs key account manager overview

Sales Representative And Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Yearly salary$65,417$102,315
Hourly rate$31.45$49.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs151,696160,992
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a sales representative and account manager do?

A sales representative/account manager is responsible for supervising client portfolio accounts and maintaining long-lasting relationships with business partners. Sales representatives/account managers meet with existing and potential clients to discuss new services offered by the company, as well as addressing their requests for review. They also handle the account budgets, developing strategic procedures and marketing techniques to improve the brand image in the market, generating more revenues and profits for the business. A sales representative/account manager identifies business opportunities by following trends to provide public demands and interests.

What does a key account manager do?

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 representative and account manager vs key account manager salary

Sales representative and account managers and key account managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales Representative And Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Average salary$65,417$102,315
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $106,000Between $75,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Quidel
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between sales representative and account manager and key account manager education

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

Sales Representative And Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredUniversity of Southern California

Sales representative and account manager vs key account manager demographics

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

Sales Representative And Account ManagerKey Account Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 67.2% Female, 32.8%Male, 68.1% Female, 31.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between sales representative and account manager and key account manager duties and responsibilities

Sales representative and account manager example responsibilities.

  • Design and implement solutions including global data networks, manage services, cloud, data storage and disaster recovery.
  • Develop concepts and procedures, analyze and resolve general ledger interfaces with computerize payroll, time tracking and project accounting system.
  • Educate and present new approach to facility managers and plant managers including ROI analysis.

Key account manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the KAM division in market share expansion and activation for SWS portfolio.
  • Develop and manage GPO partnerships and new relationships in preparation of new product launch.
  • Utilize IRI reporting (CPGN) to deliver key category insights to customer base in order to effectively manage category decisions.
  • Manage company CRM implementation leading to increase sales profitability and customer satisfaction.
  • Provide managed care expertise to industry leading system developers to create web-base solutions for healthcare revenue cycle.
  • Manage services including contract logistics, distribution, and inbound logistics and shipping brokerage along with various additional transportation solutions.
  • Show more

Sales representative and account manager vs key account manager skills

Common sales representative and account manager skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Business Relationships, 8%
  • Sales Process, 8%
  • Flyers, 7%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
Common key account manager skills
  • Account Management, 10%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Customer Relationships, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%

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