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The differences between communications specialists and communications consultants 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 specialist and a communications consultant. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a communications specialist include customer service, powerpoint and patients. The most important skills for a communications consultant are powerpoint, web content, and project management.
| Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $91,455 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $43.97 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 29,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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 consultants are responsible for preparing media releases, whether through print, video, or email. They perform varied tasks that may include working on complete projects such as media analysis and branding, creating strategies to reinforced communication among clients and employees, and providing guidance and recommendations to a company's public relations team. Communications consultants may also conduct training on best practices for other employees. Some employers prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations or journalism, previous work experience in a related field, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Communications specialists and communications consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $91,455 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $63,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Dell | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a communications consultant in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and communications consultants' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |