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The differences between communications department heads and communications coordinators 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 department head and a communications coordinator. Additionally, a communications department head has an average salary of $95,503, which is higher than the $47,075 average annual salary of a communications coordinator.
The top three skills for a communications department head include communications strategy, external communications and external stakeholders. The most important skills for a communications coordinator are customer service, web content, and event planning.
| Communications Department Head | Communications Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $95,503 | $47,075 |
| Hourly rate | $45.91 | $22.63 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 51,594 | 39,790 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A communications department head is in charge of overseeing the internal and external communication operations of a company. They manage the communications department staff, set goals and guidelines, establish budgets and timelines, liaise with key partners, coordinate with different teams to conceptualize and execute plans, and resolve issues promptly. They must also spearhead the development of media and marketing materials, monitoring the workflow and the workforce to ensure efficiency. Moreover, as the communications department head, they must lead and encourage teams to reach goals, all while implementing and promoting the company's policies and regulations.
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.
Communications department heads and communications coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Department Head | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $95,503 | $47,075 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $168,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Credit Agricole CIB | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a communications department head and a communications coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Communications Department Head | Communications Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications department heads' and communications coordinators' demographics:
| Communications Department Head | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.9% Female, 48.1% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |