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The differences between development directors and communications directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a development director and a communications director. Additionally, a communications director has an average salary of $107,700, which is higher than the $107,044 average annual salary of a development director.
The top three skills for a development director include digital marketing, oversight and patients. The most important skills for a communications director are web content, press releases, and customer service.
| Development Director | Communications Director | |
| Yearly salary | $107,044 | $107,700 |
| Hourly rate | $51.46 | $51.78 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 63,008 | 27,939 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A development director is an individual who is responsible for securing funds and sponsors for non-profit organizations. Development directors must actively seek new business partners and develop relationships with volunteers and donors. They meet with members of the development team to help advertise and promote brand awareness and funding. Development directors must possess skills and experience in managing human resources, marketing, and budgeting functions. They must also obtain a bachelor's degree in business management, public relations, or related field.
A communications director is responsible for monitoring and supervising the overall media relations from internal to external communications. A communications director's duties include managing campaigns, providing organizational updates to the employees, supporting social media marketing, developing effective communication strategies to build the organization's reputation, and efficiently leading team members in handling events that represent the business. Communications directors must have strong leadership and communication skills to provide support for the company's daily operations and strategies.
Development directors and communications directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Development Director | Communications Director | |
| Average salary | $107,044 | $107,700 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $177,000 | Between $61,000 And $188,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Cornerstone Research | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a development director and a communications director in terms of educational background:
| Development Director | Communications Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between development directors' and communications directors' demographics:
| Development Director | Communications Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8% | Male, 40.2% Female, 59.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |