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The differences between external relations directors and development directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an external relations director and a development director. Additionally, an external relations director has an average salary of $130,849, which is higher than the $107,044 average annual salary of a development director.
The top three skills for an external relations director include project management, external relations and oversight. The most important skills for a development director are digital marketing, oversight, and patients.
| External Relations Director | Development Director | |
| Yearly salary | $130,849 | $107,044 |
| Hourly rate | $62.91 | $51.46 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 22,848 | 63,008 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An external relations director is responsible for helping a company or entity establish good public relations by creating a good market perception. The professional's responsibilities include giving communications counseling to the leadership team and ensuring compliance with appropriate facility conditions and sanitation standards. The job requires good communication, leadership, and organizational skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in business, public relations, marketing, or other related fields.
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.
External relations directors and development directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| External Relations Director | Development Director | |
| Average salary | $130,849 | $107,044 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $208,000 | Between $64,000 And $177,000 |
| Highest paying City | Davis, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Phoenix Children's | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | Energy | - |
There are a few differences between an external relations director and a development director in terms of educational background:
| External Relations Director | Development Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between external relations directors' and development directors' demographics:
| External Relations Director | Development Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% | Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% 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, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |