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Community relations assistant vs special events coordinator

The differences between community relations assistants and special events coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a community relations assistant, becoming a special events coordinator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a special events coordinator has an average salary of $40,063, which is higher than the $36,453 average annual salary of a community relations assistant.

The top three skills for a community relations assistant include community outreach, press releases and community relations programs. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.

Community relations assistant vs special events coordinator overview

Community Relations AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Yearly salary$36,453$40,063
Hourly rate$17.53$19.26
Growth rate8%18%
Number of jobs27,96134,538
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4238
Years of experience42

What does a community relations assistant do?

Community Relations Assistants are involved in outreach programs and in promoting the business or organization. These assistants establish and distribute promotional materials for customers. They support public relations departments through copying, answering phone calls, and filing. Their duties include ensuring the effectiveness of outreach missions. Among the skills and knowledge needed for this job include community relations programs, special events, and press releases.

What does a special events coordinator do?

A special events coordinator is in charge of organizing and devising plans for an event, even monitoring all progress to ensure everything is running smoothly. They are typically responsible for consulting with clients and understanding the event's purpose, offering a selection of venues and caterers, providing cost estimates, and booking various services such as speakers, equipment, location, photographers, videographers, and other essential factors. Moreover, a special events coordinator manages all processes involved in setting up and down an event, all while maintaining client satisfaction.

Community relations assistant vs special events coordinator salary

Community relations assistants and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Community Relations AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Average salary$36,453$40,063
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $53,000Between $26,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Smithsonian Institution
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between community relations assistant and special events coordinator education

There are a few differences between a community relations assistant and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:

Community Relations AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversitySan Diego State University

Community relations assistant vs special events coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between community relations assistants' and special events coordinators' demographics:

Community Relations AssistantSpecial Events Coordinator
Average age4238
Gender ratioMale, 28.0% Female, 72.0%Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%16%

Differences between community relations assistant and special events coordinator duties and responsibilities

Community relations assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage all copywriting elements for live broadcasts and promotional commercials.
  • Schedule and coordinate meetings in-house and off site; prepare PowerPoint presentations.
  • Maintain the website (RedDot), online calendar and Facebook event calendar.
  • Develop and ensure all necessary documentation are charted to meet Medicare criteria for DME approval.
  • Leverage entrepreneurial orientation and expertise in government transactions to acquire excellent relationships outside of FEMA.

Special events coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with MDA families, volunteers, sponsors and fellow staff to achieve MDA objectives.
  • Maintain business website and manage Facebook account.
  • Manage reservations and priority seating for VIP diners to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
  • Compile programs and PowerPoint presentations for day of event.
  • Check RSVP lines and provide attendee list for day of event.
  • Create promotional flyers, brochures, and PowerPoint presentations for multiple target markets.
  • Show more

Community relations assistant vs special events coordinator skills

Common community relations assistant skills
  • Community Outreach, 16%
  • Press Releases, 12%
  • Community Relations Programs, 11%
  • Event Planning, 8%
  • Community Relations Events, 7%
  • Promotional Materials, 4%
Common special events coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Event Planning, 11%
  • Press Releases, 4%
  • Event Logistics, 4%
  • Event Management, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 3%

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