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The differences between corporate communications specialists 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 corporate communications specialist and a media relations specialist. Additionally, a corporate communications specialist has an average salary of $58,892, which is higher than the $50,856 average annual salary of a media relations specialist.
The top three skills for a corporate communications specialist include corporate communications, customer service and press releases. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,892 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $28.31 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,613 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
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.
Corporate communications specialists and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $58,892 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $100,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a corporate communications specialist and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between corporate communications specialists' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| 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, 10.2% 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% |