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The differences between community relations representatives 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 community relations representative and a public affairs specialist. Additionally, a public affairs specialist has an average salary of $66,383, which is higher than the $42,421 average annual salary of a community relations representative.
The top three skills for a community relations representative include community relations, patients and community organizations. The most important skills for a public affairs specialist are news stories, veterans, and fact sheets.
| Community Relations Representative | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $42,421 | $66,383 |
| Hourly rate | $20.39 | $31.91 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 24,898 | 19,889 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Community Relations Representatives are ambassadors for an organization. Their purpose is to spread awareness of an organization's vision throughout community groups. Their work scope includes nurturing relationships with stakeholders for fundraising efforts, organizing community outreach programs, and coordinating for volunteers. Other duties include hosting activities, delivering speeches driving fundraising initiatives, and attending meetings. This job requires good interpersonal skills to negotiate across a broad demographic. They must have good analytical skills, such as using cost-benefit analysis in budgeting for a program. They also manage the company image and mission through social media management.
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.
Community relations representatives and public affairs specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Community Relations Representative | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average salary | $42,421 | $66,383 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $58,000 | Between $43,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Virginia |
| Best paying company | - | |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a community relations representative and a public affairs specialist in terms of educational background:
| Community Relations Representative | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between community relations representatives' and public affairs specialists' demographics:
| Community Relations Representative | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.5% 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% |