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The differences between communications specialists and supervisors of communications can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a communications specialist, becoming a supervisor of communications takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a supervisor of communications has an average salary of $63,064, 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 supervisor of communications are patients, developmental disabilities, and powerpoint.
| Communications Specialist | Supervisor Of Communications | |
| Yearly salary | $51,023 | $63,064 |
| Hourly rate | $24.53 | $30.32 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 42,819 | 16,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
The communications supervisor handles all internal and external communications of the company. This supervisor focuses on ensuring all communications are disseminated efficiently throughout the company. The communications supervisor also works on maintaining the image of the company through press releases, correspondence with customers, attractive quotations and witty lines for advertising, and many more. Through the communications supervisor, the company develops its voice to the public and establishes its face in the market.
Communications specialists and supervisors of communications have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Specialist | Supervisor Of Communications | |
| Average salary | $51,023 | $63,064 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $71,000 | Between $42,000 And $93,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | AbbVie | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a communications specialist and a supervisor of communications in terms of educational background:
| Communications Specialist | Supervisor Of Communications | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between communications specialists' and supervisors of communications' demographics:
| Communications Specialist | Supervisor Of Communications | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% | Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2% |
| 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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 11% |