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The differences between digital media strategists and communications 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 digital media strategist and a communications specialist. Additionally, a digital media strategist has an average salary of $62,947, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a digital media strategist include digital marketing, client facing and search engine marketing. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Digital Media Strategist | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $62,947 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $30.26 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 31,387 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 87% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Digital media strategists assist in building ad campaigns outlined to catch potential clients' awareness and keep existing customers' fealty. Their responsibilities include determining the campaign's target demographic, assessing the best time to run the campaign, and figuring out which medium to use. Also, they analyze data from surveys, develop a budget-friendly ad campaign media, as well as assessing the effect a campaign's online presence will have on its selected audience. Skills required include strong critical and analytical skills, creativity, and excellent communication skills.
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Digital media strategists and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Digital Media Strategist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $62,947 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $89,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between a digital media strategist and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Digital Media Strategist | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 87% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between digital media strategists' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Digital Media Strategist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.2% Female, 57.8% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |