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The differences between coordinators of public affairs 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 coordinator of public affairs and a public relations specialist. Additionally, a public relations specialist has an average salary of $48,124, 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 public relations specialist are press releases, web content, and project management.
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $36,689 | $48,124 |
| Hourly rate | $17.64 | $23.14 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 32,577 | 29,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| 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 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.
Coordinators of public affairs and public relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $36,689 | $48,124 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $54,000 | Between $33,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Lincoln Memorial University | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a coordinator of public affairs and a public relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 81% |
| Most common major | Political Science | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between coordinators of public affairs' and public relations specialists' demographics:
| Coordinator Of Public Affairs | Public Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5% | Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7% |
| 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, 10.3% 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% |