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The differences between associate relations specialists and communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate relations specialist and a communications specialist. Additionally, an associate relations specialist has an average salary of $52,142, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for an associate relations specialist include customer service, CRM and human resources. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Associate Relations Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,142 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $25.07 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 37,753 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An associate relations specialist is responsible for assisting human resources operations in assisting with employees' needs, resolving their concerns, and improving labor relations within the workplace. Associate relations specialists also help in the recruitment process, developing handbooks and company manuals, processing onboarding operations, and evaluating incident reports of policy violations. They facilitate employee training and programs to maximize efficiency and productivity in operations, as well as disseminating information and announcements from the management across the organization.
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Associate relations specialists and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Relations Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,142 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $71,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Shoreline, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Regeneron | |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Technology |
There are a few differences between an associate relations specialist and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Associate Relations Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between associate relations specialists' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Associate Relations Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.9% Female, 68.1% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |