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The differences between directors of communications and marketing and marketing communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a director of communications and marketing, becoming a marketing communications specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a director of communications and marketing has an average salary of $87,324, which is higher than the $53,993 average annual salary of a marketing communications specialist.
The top three skills for a director of communications and marketing include web content, strategic communications and marketing campaigns. The most important skills for a marketing communications specialist are digital marketing, project management, and graphic design.
| Director Of Communications And Marketing | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $87,324 | $53,993 |
| Hourly rate | $41.98 | $25.96 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 109,600 | 95,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 6 |
A director of communications and marketing spearheads a company's marketing and communication projects in adherence with the company's vision and mission. Being the director, they have the authority to make decisions, delegate responsibilities among managers and teams, and direct the project and program cycle from planning to execution, solving issues and concerns if any would arise. They also set goals and budgets, establish timelines and requirements, and conduct regular assessments. Additionally, as a director, they must lead and empower employees in a joint effort to reach goals and industry standards.
A marketing communications specialist is an individual who is responsible for creating all the marketing materials that are distributed to customers to increase brand awareness for the company's products or services. To create these materials, marketing communications specialists must collaborate with graphic design teams. They are required to track their marketing performance so that they can identify ways to improve their marketing strategies. Marketing communications specialists must also set up interviews and press conferences as part of their marketing campaign.
Directors of communications and marketing and marketing communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Communications And Marketing | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $87,324 | $53,993 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $133,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Paul Hastings | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a director of communications and marketing and a marketing communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Communications And Marketing | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between directors of communications and marketing' and marketing communications specialists' demographics:
| Director Of Communications And Marketing | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9% | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |