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The differences between health communication specialists and communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a health communication specialist, becoming a communications specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, which is higher than the $49,493 average annual salary of a health communication specialist.
The top three skills for a health communication specialist include health education, patients and fact sheets. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Health Communication Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $49,493 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 54,007 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A health communication specialist is responsible for managing public health communications by disseminating information to various media platforms. Health communication specialists analyze the current medical trends and coordinate with medical professionals to gain more details and discuss health issues with the community. They also promote and share advice in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and development. A health communication specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills to support the community people with their medical needs and concerns.
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.
Health communication specialists and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Communication Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $49,493 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $71,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hillsboro, OR | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Centers For Disease Control And Prevention | |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a health communication specialist and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Health Communication Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Public Health | Communication |
| Most common college | Georgetown University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between health communication specialists' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Health Communication Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 7% | 12% |