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The differences between corporate communications specialists 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 corporate communications specialist and a public affairs specialist. Additionally, a public affairs specialist has an average salary of $66,383, 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 public affairs specialist are news stories, veterans, and fact sheets.
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,892 | $66,383 |
| Hourly rate | $28.31 | $31.91 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,613 | 19,889 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
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.
Corporate communications specialists and public affairs specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average salary | $58,892 | $66,383 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $100,000 | Between $43,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Parsons | |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a corporate communications specialist and a public affairs specialist in terms of educational background:
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between corporate communications specialists' and public affairs specialists' demographics:
| Corporate Communications Specialist | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| 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, 5.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |