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The differences between communications program managers and public information officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a communications program manager, becoming a public information officer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a communications program manager has an average salary of $85,031, which is higher than the $56,725 average annual salary of a public information officer.
The top three skills for a communications program manager include project management, program management and powerpoint. The most important skills for a public information officer are press releases, web content, and community outreach.
| Communications Program Manager | Public Information Officer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,031 | $56,725 |
| Hourly rate | $40.88 | $27.27 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 106,770 | 129,237 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
Communications program managers develop procedures, programs, and installation plans to accomplish housing privatization tasks and create and send email newsletters and many more electronic updates for online subscribers and chapter supporters. These professionals also keep individual case files, prepare records for grant reports, and monitor community service houses. Besides preparing billing documents, a communications program manager also facilitates communications between different departments for excellent customer support services. They develop and refine operational methodologies, QACC quality standards, and related documents.
The primary job of a public information officer involves the promotion of a positive public image on social media. Public information officers offer significant information during a crisis. They collect facts and distribute them to the media and organize special events like awards ceremonies. Typically, they work for large organizations and government agencies. They maintain their online presence that can be part of the duties of public information. Also, they can work for long hours on an irregular schedule, especially when the incidents or situations affect the organization.
Communications program managers and public information officers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Program Manager | Public Information Officer | |
| Average salary | $85,031 | $56,725 |
| Salary range | Between $58,000 And $124,000 | Between $38,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | Fairfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Apple | City of Fairfield |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a communications program manager and a public information officer in terms of educational background:
| Communications Program Manager | Public Information Officer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between communications program managers' and public information officers' demographics:
| Communications Program Manager | Public Information Officer | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7% | Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 16% |