Account Executive vs Account Manager: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Account Executive
Manage the full sales cycle to close new business and expand existing accounts.
Account Manager
Retain and grow existing customer relationships to maximise lifetime value.
Account Executive earns more on average — the national median is $30,000/year (34%) higher than a Account Manager. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Account Executive vs Account Manager — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Account Executive | Account Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $175,134 | $129,913 | Account +$45,221 |
| New York, NY | $146,442 | $105,329 | Account +$41,113 |
| Seattle, WA | $167,371 | $125,634 | Account +$41,737 |
| Austin, TX | $132,628 | $98,015 | Account +$34,613 |
| Chicago, IL | $128,530 | $96,439 | Account +$32,091 |
| Boston, MA | $153,915 | $117,944 | Account +$35,971 |
| London, UK | £89,364 | £66,709 | Account +$22,655 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$156,832 | CA$113,814 | Account +$43,018 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Account Executive or Account Manager earn more?+
A Account Executive earns more on average. The national median salary for a Account Executive is $118,000/year, compared to $88,000/year for a Account Manager — a difference of $30,000 (34%).
Which has better career growth — Account Executive or Account Manager?+
Account Executive roles are growing at 14% YoY while Account Manager demand is growing at 12% YoY. Account Executive has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Account Executive to Account Manager?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: CRM.
Which is harder to automate — Account Executive or Account Manager?+
Account Manager has a lower AI automation risk (30% vs 32%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.