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The differences between communications coordinators 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 coordinator and a senior communications specialist. Additionally, a senior communications specialist has an average salary of $78,948, which is higher than the $47,075 average annual salary of a communications coordinator.
The top three skills for a communications coordinator include customer service, web content and event planning. The most important skills for a senior communications specialist are project management, powerpoint, and strategic communications.
| Communications Coordinator | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $47,075 | $78,948 |
| Hourly rate | $22.63 | $37.96 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 39,790 | 18,973 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A communications coordinator is responsible for overseeing the communications department's operations, developing the brand image, and monitoring press releases, company articles, and other related marketing materials for business promotion and visibility. Communications coordinators actively interact with existing and potential clients, negotiate contracts, and build profitable partnerships. They also develop strategic procedures for creating the business' online presence, organizing promotional events, and media conferences. A communications coordinator must have excellent communication and organization skills to maintain a good reputation and customer satisfaction.
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 coordinators and senior communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Coordinator | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $47,075 | $78,948 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $63,000 | Between $56,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Analysis Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a communications coordinator and a senior communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Coordinator | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications coordinators' and senior communications specialists' demographics:
| Communications Coordinator | Senior Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% 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% |