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The differences between communications department heads and 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 department head and a communications specialist. Additionally, a communications department head has an average salary of $95,503, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a communications department head include communications strategy, external communications and external stakeholders. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Communications Department Head | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $95,503 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $45.91 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 51,594 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Communications department heads and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Department Head | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $95,503 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $168,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Credit Agricole CIB | |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a communications department head and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Department Head | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications department heads' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Communications Department Head | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.9% Female, 48.1% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| 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, 10.0% 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% |