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The differences between directors of economic development and community relations 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 director of economic development and a community relations director. Additionally, a director of economic development has an average salary of $107,578, which is higher than the $96,788 average annual salary of a community relations director.
The top three skills for a director of economic development include business development, project management and real estate. The most important skills for a community relations director are community relations, community events, and memory care.
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Relations Director | |
| Yearly salary | $107,578 | $96,788 |
| Hourly rate | $51.72 | $46.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 55,938 | 33,569 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An economic development director develops and spearheads the implementation of economic development programs in a city. They usually work for the city government, although there are some who work for private companies. It is their responsibility to perform market research and analysis, developing strategies to help the city in building positive relationships with businesses and potential economic partners. Moreover, as an economic development director, they are also responsible for managing and directing staff, encouraging them to reach project goals while implementing policies and standards.
A community relations director is an individual who is responsible for managing positive relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations, and fellow employees surrounding an organization. Community relations directors must plan, organize, and manage activities to help the organization achieve its public relations goal. They need to interface with vital community groups so that they can ensure the organization is producing effective results. Community relations managers must also assist in preparing a variety of publicity materials such as speeches and media content.
Directors of economic development and community relations directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Relations Director | |
| Average salary | $107,578 | $96,788 |
| Salary range | Between $64,000 And $180,000 | Between $61,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Zoho |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a director of economic development and a community relations director in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Relations Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between directors of economic development' and community relations directors' demographics:
| Director Of Economic Development | Community Relations Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9% | Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |