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The differences between marketing communications specialists and marketing communications managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a marketing communications specialist, becoming a marketing communications manager takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a marketing communications manager has an average salary of $84,146, which is higher than the $53,993 average annual salary of a marketing communications specialist.
The top three skills for a marketing communications specialist include digital marketing, project management and graphic design. The most important skills for a marketing communications manager are web content, marketing campaigns, and digital marketing.
| Marketing Communications Specialist | Marketing Communications Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $53,993 | $84,146 |
| Hourly rate | $25.96 | $40.45 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 95,444 | 106,556 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 10 |
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.
A marketing communications manager's role is to oversee all operations involving media and public relations. They are primarily responsible for devising marketing strategies and programs to improve brand awareness, handling communications and various issues within the company, and crafting communication strategies for product launches and other events. Furthermore, they also must handle correspondence, take the lead in creating newsletters, press releases, and other mediums, ensuring that they align in the company's vision, mission, and regulations. As a marketing communications manager, it is essential to lead and encourage staff while implementing company policies and guidelines.
Marketing communications specialists and marketing communications managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Marketing Communications Specialist | Marketing Communications Manager | |
| Average salary | $53,993 | $84,146 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $80,000 | Between $60,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | Boston Consulting Group |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a marketing communications specialist and a marketing communications manager in terms of educational background:
| Marketing Communications Specialist | Marketing Communications Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between marketing communications specialists' and marketing communications managers' demographics:
| Marketing Communications Specialist | Marketing Communications Manager | |
| Average age | 37 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% | Male, 32.3% Female, 67.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |