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Communications manager vs public relations manager

The differences between communications managers and public relations managers 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 manager and a public relations manager. Additionally, a public relations manager has an average salary of $91,426, which is higher than the $81,304 average annual salary of a communications manager.

The top three skills for a communications manager include customer service, property management and yardi. The most important skills for a public relations manager are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.

Communications manager vs public relations manager overview

Communications ManagerPublic Relations Manager
Yearly salary$81,304$91,426
Hourly rate$39.09$43.95
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs26,35035,273
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a communications manager do?

A communications manager is responsible for overseeing a company or organization's public relations by devising various strategies and finding new opportunities. They must craft and produce marketing materials such as campaigns, advertisements, newsletters, social media engagements, and press releases to shape and improve a brand or company. Furthermore, a communications manager must accomplish administrative tasks such as preparing reports and necessary documentation, reaching out to advertisers, leading communication letters, and coordinating with marketing personnel from other departments.

What does a public relations manager do?

A public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.

Communications manager vs public relations manager salary

Communications managers and public relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications ManagerPublic Relations Manager
Average salary$81,304$91,426
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $122,000Between $64,000 And $128,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALas Vegas, NV
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNevada
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncGoogle
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between communications manager and public relations manager education

There are a few differences between a communications manager and a public relations manager in terms of educational background:

Communications ManagerPublic Relations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaNorthwestern University

Communications manager vs public relations manager demographics

Here are the differences between communications managers' and public relations managers' demographics:

Communications ManagerPublic Relations Manager
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 34.9% Female, 65.1%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between communications manager and public relations manager duties and responsibilities

Communications manager example responsibilities.

  • Co-administered sales campaigns in Salesforce, CRM to efficiently manage sales productivity of communication and leads.
  • Lead and manage marketing department's copywriting and editing team and develop many aspects of corporate communication.
  • Manage creative agency relationships and lead execution of commercial excellence awards program, Americas mid-year growth summit and kick-off meetings.
  • Manage all Medicaid paperwork, manage staff payroll, client attendance.
  • Manage all facets of community programs and recruitment for HIV prevention clinical trials.
  • Train in YARDI to complete daily transitions, manage resident ledgers and prepare weekly/monthly reports.
  • Show more

Public relations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media - provide content ideas, monitor FB and Instagram activity.
  • Manage events and promotions; create Christmas event, manage twitter account and make marketing plans.
  • Lead a successful rebranding effort to transition the organization into a premier corporate training provider in SoCal.
  • Lead a rebranding and revitalization of the intranet by focusing on improving internal communication, search capabilities, and branding elements.
  • Interview featured alumni, manage copywriting staff and editorial calendar, and coordinate photography.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Show more

Communications manager vs public relations manager skills

Common communications manager skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Property Management, 9%
  • Yardi, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Press Releases, 4%
  • Web Content, 4%
Common public relations manager skills
  • Press Releases, 20%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%

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