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The differences between corporate communications specialists and communications consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a corporate communications specialist and a communications consultant. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $58,892 average annual salary of a corporate communications specialist.
The top three skills for a corporate communications specialist include corporate communications, customer service and press releases. The most important skills for a communications consultant are powerpoint, web content, and project management.
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $58,892 | $91,455 |
| Hourly rate | $28.31 | $43.97 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,613 | 29,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A corporate communications specialist's role is to manage and develop a company's external and internal communication line, ensuring timeliness and efficiency. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating various departments for the dissemination of communication letters and other documents, liaise with external agencies such as media and advertisers, and participate in creating social media content, newsletters, press kits, and other marketing materials. Furthermore, a corporate communications specialist must handle campaigns and projects, all while focusing on the brand's message and adhering to the company's policies and vision.
Communications consultants are responsible for preparing media releases, whether through print, video, or email. They perform varied tasks that may include working on complete projects such as media analysis and branding, creating strategies to reinforced communication among clients and employees, and providing guidance and recommendations to a company's public relations team. Communications consultants may also conduct training on best practices for other employees. Some employers prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations or journalism, previous work experience in a related field, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Corporate communications specialists and communications consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Average salary | $58,892 | $91,455 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $100,000 | Between $63,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Dell |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a corporate communications specialist and a communications consultant in terms of educational background:
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between corporate communications specialists' and communications consultants' demographics:
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Communications Consultant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |