How Much Does a Client Relationship Manager Make in 2025?
Client relations managers maintain strong client relationships and help meet their needs with company products or services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that client-facing roles, including client relationship managers, will see a growth of 8% over the next 10 years.
As demand grows, salaries are increasing. According to our report, the average client relationship manager earns $139,043 per year, as of March 2025. However, pay varies by experience, industry, location, and certifications, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average Client Relationship Manager’s Salary?
As of March 2025, the average client relationship manager salary in the United States is $139,043 per year. For the hourly wage, client relationship managers have an average salary of $67 per hour, with rates ranging from $49 to $87 per hour.
2025 Client Relationship Manager Average Salary: $139,043 per year ($67 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for a client relationship manager are $2,674 and $11,587, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Client Relationship Manager?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for this job title starts at $101,445 and can reach as high as $181,340 per year, with most earnings falling between $119,363 and $161,183 per year.
However, as noted earlier, the salary range for client relationship managers varies based on factors such as education, experience level, and location.
Client Relationship Manager Salary Range: $101,445 to $181,340 per year ($49 to $87 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49 | $1,951 | $8,454 | $101,445 |
| 25th | $57 | $2,295 | $9,947 | $119,363 |
| 50th (Median) | $67 | $2,674 | $11,587 | $139,043 |
| 75th | $77 | $3,100 | $13,432 | $161,183 |
| 90th | $87 | $3,487 | $15,112 | $181,340 |
Client Relationship Manager Salary Factors
Several factors influence a client relationship manager's salary, including education, location, experience, and skills. Below is a breakdown of each factor and its impact on earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for client relationship managers varies by experience, ranging from $130,171 per year for entry-level positions to $142,898 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Client Relationship Manager | <1 | $130,171 |
| Intermediate Level Client Relationship Manager | 1-2 | $131,043 |
| Senior Relationship Manager | 2-4 | $133,952 |
| Specialist Level Client Relationship Manager | 5-8 | $137,443 |
| Expert Level Client Relationship Manager | 8+ | $142,898 |
Place of Work
The industry or workplace of a client relationship manager can significantly impact their salary. While the BLS does not provide specific data for this role, comparable client-facing positions, such as advertising and promotions managers, offer useful insights.
For instance, in 2023, managers in advertising, public relations, and related services earned up to 21.11% more than those in the wholesale trade industry.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $149,320 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $138,770 |
| Information | $136,050 |
| Wholesale Trade | $123,290 |
Skill Set
Client relationship managers with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that managers with business development skills can earn 14.97% more than those without.
Also, a client relationship manager with field sales skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 10.25%, followed by skills like customers relations and promotion.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Business Development | 22.11% | +14.97% |
| Field Sales | 13.26% | +10.25% |
| Customer Relations | 12.08% | +9.96% |
| Promotion | 16.86% | +9.40% |
| Account Management | 31.58% | +9.09% |
| Presentation Software | 9.14% | +7.91% |
Client Relationship Manager Salary by City and State
The location of a client relationship manager can impact their salary. This information is valuable for analyzing salary trends, negotiating pay, or planning a career in the industry.
Highest Paying States for Client Relationship Manager
Based on Salary.com compensation data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for client relationship managers in the United States, at $154,753 per year, followed by California at $153,363.
- District of Columbia: $154,753 ($94 per hour)
- California: $153,363 ($74 per hour)
- New Jersey: $152,393 ($73 per hour)
- Alaska: $151,413 ($73 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $151,273 ($71 per hour)
Client Relationship Manager Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $151,413 |
| Alabama | $127,783 |
| Arkansas | $126,673 |
| Arizona | $135,433 |
| California | $153,363 |
| Colorado | $141,823 |
| Connecticut | $149,333 |
| District of Columbia | $154,753 |
| Delaware | $141,133 |
| Florida | $132,093 |
| Georgia | $134,453 |
| Hawaii | $145,303 |
| Iowa | $133,063 |
| Idaho | $129,733 |
| Illinois | $142,243 |
| Indiana | $134,873 |
| Kansas | $132,373 |
| Kentucky | $130,843 |
| Louisiana | $132,233 |
| Massachusetts | $151,273 |
| Maryland | $143,353 |
| Maine | $135,293 |
| Michigan | $137,233 |
| Minnesota | $142,243 |
| Missouri | $132,513 |
| Mississippi | $124,033 |
| Montana | $129,863 |
| North Carolina | $133,483 |
| North Dakota | $137,653 |
| Nebraska | $130,983 |
| New Hampshire | $141,403 |
| New Jersey | $152,393 |
| New Mexico | $128,203 |
| Nevada | $139,603 |
| New York | $148,223 |
| Ohio | $135,983 |
| Oklahoma | $128,613 |
| Oregon | $141,263 |
| Pennsylvania | $138,763 |
| Rhode Island | $145,163 |
| South Carolina | $131,253 |
| South Dakota | $125,003 |
| Tennessee | $128,753 |
| Texas | $136,123 |
| Utah | $132,233 |
| Virginia | $139,463 |
| Vermont | $136,403 |
| Washington | $149,883 |
| Wisconsin | $137,373 |
| West Virginia | $125,143 |
| Wyoming | $133,343 |
Highest Paying Cities for Client Relationship Managers
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest pay for client relationship managers at $174,493 per year or $84 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for client relationship managers are:
- San Jose, California: $174,493 ($84 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $173,803 ($84 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $169,633 ($82 per hour)
- New York, New York: $162,403 ($78 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $161,283 ($78 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $160,173 ($77 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Client Relationship Manager
Client relationship managers can boost their salary by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
- Gain industry experience: More experience in managing clients and solving problems leads to higher pay. Entry-level client relationship managers earn about $130,171 per year, while those with 8+ years make around $142,898 per year, according to Salary.com reports.
- Develop high-demand skills: Improve and develop skills like business development, field sales, and customer relations to close sales effectively. These skills can lead to higher salaries, especially for an individual contributor.
- Negotiate your compensation: Know the average salary for your role and location. Show how you help the company grow and ask for a raise. As of March 2025, the average client relationship manager salary in the United States is $139,043 per year.
- Work in high-paying industry: Some industries and cities offer higher salaries than others. Consider moving into advertising, public relations, and related services, as these fields often provide better compensation.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of March 27, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for client relationship managers in the United States is $94,042.4 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$139,043/ year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$103,349/ year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$168,437/ year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$69,516/ year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$57,383/ year
