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The differences between communications specialists and public 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 public relations specialist. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, which is higher than the $48,124 average annual salary of a public relations specialist.
The top three skills for a communications specialist include customer service, powerpoint and patients. The most important skills for a public relations specialist are press releases, web content, and project management.
| Communications Specialist | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $48,124 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $23.14 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 29,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| 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 public relations specialist is an individual who creates and maintains a favorable public image of an organization by crafting media releases and developing social media programs. Public relations specialists must help their clients communicate effectively with the public as well as evaluate the public opinion of their clients through social media. They need to draft their press releases and contact people in the media who might want to broadcast their materials. Public relations specialists are also required to draft speeches and arrange interviews for the top executives of their organization.
Communications specialists and public relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $48,124 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $33,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a public relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and public relations specialists' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7% |
| 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, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |