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Communications director vs publication director

The differences between communications directors and publication 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 publication director. Additionally, a communications director has an average salary of $107,700, which is higher than the $87,824 average annual salary of a publication director.

The top three skills for a communications director include web content, press releases and customer service. The most important skills for a publication director are website content, press releases, and government agencies.

Communications director vs publication director overview

Communications DirectorPublication Director
Yearly salary$107,700$87,824
Hourly rate$51.78$42.22
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs27,93914,660
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a communications director do?

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.

What does a publication director do?

A publication director spearheads and oversees the operations of publishing establishments, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They have the authority to make publication decisions, set goals, establish guidelines and timelines, delegate tasks and resources among teams, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They also monitor the workflow and the performance of the workforce, addressing issues and concerns if any arise. Moreover, a publication director leads and encourages staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations, developing new ones as needed.

Communications director vs publication director salary

Communications directors and publication directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications DirectorPublication Director
Average salary$107,700$87,824
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $188,000Between $49,000 And $154,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CACarson City, NV
Highest paying stateNevadaDelaware
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncBiogen
Best paying industryHealth CareMedia

Differences between communications director and publication director education

There are a few differences between a communications director and a publication director in terms of educational background:

Communications DirectorPublication Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Communications director vs publication director demographics

Here are the differences between communications directors' and publication directors' demographics:

Communications DirectorPublication Director
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 40.2% Female, 59.8%Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between communications director and publication director duties and responsibilities

Communications director example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing the Facebook and Instagram pages.
  • Develop and manage c-level strategic client relationships to grow revenue base.
  • Create and manage corporate website, online demand gen through SEO and SEM.
  • Manage editorial content of the organization website, build and upload web pages via HTML.
  • Manage the marketing strategy and budget, including B2C acquisition campaigns focuse on out of home and DRTV.
  • Manage media relations, announcements, editorial placement, and speaking opportunities the organizations.
  • Show more

Publication director example responsibilities.

  • Manage media relations, announcements, editorial placement, and speaking opportunities the organizations.
  • Promote expansion of Medicaid coverage at the federal and state level.
  • Create & maintain SEAPOWER Facebook page, where all online articles are place, driving page views back to the website.
  • Serve as representative to senior management team during community events and company spokesperson for division, including to nonprofit sector clients.
  • Draft pleadings and serve subpoenas.
  • Complete all investigative reports including incident reports, subpoenas, arrest warrants, and witness statements.
  • Show more

Communications director vs publication director skills

Common communications director skills
  • Web Content, 8%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • External Communications, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Employee Engagement, 4%
Common publication director skills
  • Website Content, 12%
  • Press Releases, 11%
  • Government Agencies, 9%
  • Public Policy Issues, 6%
  • Government Relations, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%

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