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The differences between chief communications officers and directors of communications and marketing can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a chief communications officer, becoming a director of communications and marketing takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a chief communications officer has an average salary of $115,086, which is higher than the $87,324 average annual salary of a director of communications and marketing.
The top three skills for a chief communications officer include crisis communications, external communications and CCO. The most important skills for a director of communications and marketing are web content, strategic communications, and marketing campaigns.
| Chief Communications Officer | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Yearly salary | $115,086 | $87,324 |
| Hourly rate | $55.33 | $41.98 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 80,711 | 109,600 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 10 |
A chief communications officer oversees internal relations and researches public employees. Most of the chief communications officers spend a massive amount of time interacting with the chief marketing officers of their organization. They are responsible for management issues and may offer risk management in industries that are prone to hazard, risk, and product failure. They provide wise counsel to the senior team whenever major decisions are debated. They act in many ways as representatives of many publics who are not in the room when these decisions are made. These officers also help the organization translate strategy to action.
A director of communications and marketing spearheads a company's marketing and communication projects in adherence with the company's vision and mission. Being the director, they have the authority to make decisions, delegate responsibilities among managers and teams, and direct the project and program cycle from planning to execution, solving issues and concerns if any would arise. They also set goals and budgets, establish timelines and requirements, and conduct regular assessments. Additionally, as a director, they must lead and empower employees in a joint effort to reach goals and industry standards.
Chief communications officers and directors of communications and marketing have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Chief Communications Officer | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Average salary | $115,086 | $87,324 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $208,000 | Between $57,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Paul Hastings |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a chief communications officer and a director of communications and marketing in terms of educational background:
| Chief Communications Officer | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between chief communications officers' and directors of communications and marketing' demographics:
| Chief Communications Officer | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5% | Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 10% |