Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between communications specialists and public affairs 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 public affairs specialist. Additionally, a public affairs specialist has an average salary of $66,383, 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 public affairs specialist are news stories, veterans, and fact sheets.
| Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $66,383 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $31.91 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 19,889 |
| 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.
Psychology research assistants take charge of the operational and administrative tasks like mailing surveys, summarizing results, and managing correspondence. The research assistants identify the areas in need of improvement and score psychological tests. They prepare the interview questions and summarize test results. Their job involves responding to research-related emails and take part in project meetings. Also, they update the content of websites and prepare reports of their progress. The skills they need in carrying out this job include communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, and technical skills.
Communications specialists and public affairs specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $66,383 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $43,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Virginia |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a public affairs specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and public affairs specialists' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| 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, 5.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |