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The differences between communications consultants and media relations specialists 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 media relations specialist. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $50,856 average annual salary of a media relations specialist.
The top three skills for a communications consultant include powerpoint, web content and project management. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $91,455 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $43.97 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,942 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Communications consultants and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $91,455 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $130,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Dell | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Finance |
There are a few differences between a communications consultant and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications consultants' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |