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The differences between communications specialists and media relations specialists 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 media relations specialist. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, which is higher than the $50,856 average annual salary of a media relations specialist.
The top three skills for a communications specialist include customer service, powerpoint and patients. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Communications specialists and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Edelman Financial Engines | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |