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The differences between communications consultants and senior 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 a communications consultant and a senior communications specialist. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $78,948 average annual salary of a senior communications specialist.
The top three skills for a communications consultant include powerpoint, web content and project management. The most important skills for a senior communications specialist are project management, powerpoint, and strategic communications.
| Communications Consultant | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $91,455 | $78,948 |
| Hourly rate | $43.97 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,942 | 18,973 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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 senior communications specialist is primarily in charge of developing communication strategies in the company. Their responsibilities revolve around ensuring the smooth flow of internal and external communications, coordinating various departments, managing campaigns and event schedules, devising social media strategies, and supervising media relations. A senior communications specialist must also address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly. Furthermore, as a senior specialist, it is essential to lead and assist the junior specialists, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Communications consultants and senior communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Consultant | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $91,455 | $78,948 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $130,000 | Between $56,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Dell | Analysis Group |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Technology |
There are a few differences between a communications consultant and a senior communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Consultant | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications consultants' and senior communications specialists' demographics:
| Communications Consultant | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% |
| 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, 10.0% 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% |