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The differences between communications directors and media directors 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 director and a media director. Additionally, a media director has an average salary of $112,564, which is higher than the $107,700 average annual salary of a communications director.
The top three skills for a communications director include web content, press releases and customer service. The most important skills for a media director are digital marketing, video production, and media planning.
| Communications Director | Media Director | |
| Yearly salary | $107,700 | $112,564 |
| Hourly rate | $51.78 | $54.12 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 27,939 | 22,511 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A communications director is responsible for monitoring and supervising the overall media relations from internal to external communications. A communications director's duties include managing campaigns, providing organizational updates to the employees, supporting social media marketing, developing effective communication strategies to build the organization's reputation, and efficiently leading team members in handling events that represent the business. Communications directors must have strong leadership and communication skills to provide support for the company's daily operations and strategies.
A media director spearheads and oversees a company's entire media-related activities, including marketing and advertising campaigns. They are in charge of setting goals and guidelines, liaising and building positive relationships with external parties, conceptualizing plans for projects and campaigns, and developing strategies to optimize operations. It is also their duty to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a media director, it is essential to monitor the progress of different teams, leading and encouraging them to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Communications directors and media directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Director | Media Director | |
| Average salary | $107,700 | $112,564 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $188,000 | Between $73,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Nevada |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a communications director and a media director in terms of educational background:
| Communications Director | Media Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications directors' and media directors' demographics:
| Communications Director | Media Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.2% Female, 59.8% | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |