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The differences between communications specialists and media 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 specialist. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, which is higher than the $50,832 average annual salary of a media specialist.
The top three skills for a communications specialist include customer service, powerpoint and patients. The most important skills for a media specialist are digital marketing, video production, and customer service.
| Communications Specialist | Media Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $50,832 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $24.44 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 39,401 |
| 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.
Media specialists are individuals who establish and administer content on various social media platforms. The job involves monitoring site metrics, overseeing creative design, and responding to reader comments. Specialists offer advice to administrators and teachers on the use of non-print social media. They work for huge enterprises with multimedia departments, new media departments, and in-house websites. The skills the job requires include trend awareness, social media ads, community management, strong visual aesthetic, and understanding SEO.
Communications specialists and media specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Media Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $50,832 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $35,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a media specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Media Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and media specialists' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Media Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |