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The differences between communications consultants and communications managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a communications consultant and a communications manager. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $81,304 average annual salary of a communications manager.
The top three skills for a communications consultant include powerpoint, web content and project management. The most important skills for a communications manager are customer service, property management, and yardi.
| Communications Consultant | Communications Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $91,455 | $81,304 |
| Hourly rate | $43.97 | $39.09 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,942 | 26,350 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Communications consultants are responsible for preparing media releases, whether through print, video, or email. They perform varied tasks that may include working on complete projects such as media analysis and branding, creating strategies to reinforced communication among clients and employees, and providing guidance and recommendations to a company's public relations team. Communications consultants may also conduct training on best practices for other employees. Some employers prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations or journalism, previous work experience in a related field, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
A communications manager is responsible for overseeing a company or organization's public relations by devising various strategies and finding new opportunities. They must craft and produce marketing materials such as campaigns, advertisements, newsletters, social media engagements, and press releases to shape and improve a brand or company. Furthermore, a communications manager must accomplish administrative tasks such as preparing reports and necessary documentation, reaching out to advertisers, leading communication letters, and coordinating with marketing personnel from other departments.
Communications consultants and communications managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Consultant | Communications Manager | |
| Average salary | $91,455 | $81,304 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $130,000 | Between $53,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Dell | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | - |
There are a few differences between a communications consultant and a communications manager in terms of educational background:
| Communications Consultant | Communications Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between communications consultants' and communications managers' demographics:
| Communications Consultant | Communications Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% | Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 16% |