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The differences between communications specialists and communications 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 specialist and a communications manager. Additionally, a communications manager has an average salary of $81,304, 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 manager are customer service, property management, and yardi.
| Communications Specialist | Communications Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $81,304 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $39.09 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 26,350 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
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.
Communications specialists and communications managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Communications Manager | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $81,304 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $53,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a communications manager in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Communications Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and communications managers' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Communications Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1% |
| 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, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 16% |