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The differences between marketing communications writers and communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a marketing communications writer, becoming a communications specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a marketing communications writer has an average salary of $70,481, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a marketing communications writer include marketing campaigns, CRM and web content. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Marketing Communications Writer | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $70,481 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $33.89 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 99,978 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A marketing communications writer is primarily responsible for developing, creating, and editing content for different marketing purposes, such as social media, newsletters, advertisements, and other public communications projects. Most of the tasks are time-sensitive and require coordination with various marketing and communications teams to ensure accuracy and consistency. Furthermore, as a communications writer, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of the marketing conditions and trends, and a firm grasp of the company's vision, mission, policies, and regulations.
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.
Marketing communications writers and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Marketing Communications Writer | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $70,481 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $113,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Arrow Electronics | |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a marketing communications writer and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Marketing Communications Writer | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between marketing communications writers' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Marketing Communications Writer | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.6% Female, 65.4% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 75.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 16% | 12% |