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The differences between coordinators of public affairs and media 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 coordinator of public affairs and a media relations specialist. Additionally, a media relations specialist has an average salary of $50,856, which is higher than the $36,689 average annual salary of a coordinator of public affairs.
The top three skills for a coordinator of public affairs include powerpoint, government affairs and event planning. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $36,689 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $17.64 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 32,577 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A coordinator of public affairs is in charge of coordinating activities to improve an organization's positive relationship with the public. Their responsibilities include developing programs to enhance brand awareness and public image, setting goals and guidelines, managing staff, and liaising with media representatives. They must also organize public events while adhering to the company's vision and mission, including its policies and regulations. Moreover, a coordinator of public affairs must be quick to do damage control, resolving issues promptly and efficiently.
A media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Coordinators of public affairs and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $36,689 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $54,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lincoln Memorial University | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a coordinator of public affairs and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between coordinators of public affairs' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |