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The differences between media assistants and media relations specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a media assistant and a media relations specialist. Additionally, a media relations specialist has an average salary of $50,856, which is higher than the $37,287 average annual salary of a media assistant.
The top three skills for a media assistant include video production, audio equipment and visual equipment. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Media Assistant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,287 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $17.93 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 13,894 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Media assistants are professionals who are responsible for providing administrative support to the media operations of an organization. These assistants are required to work closely with the media team to perform tasks such as analyzing media, using media software to keep track of performance and develop strong relationships with media outlets. By coordinating with technical consultants, media assistants must assist in planning various video productions as well as updating the content and graphics of the company's website. They must also develop strategies so that they can increase audience reach across media channels.
A media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Media assistants and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Assistant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $37,287 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $54,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Edelman Financial Engines | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between a media assistant and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Media Assistant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between media assistants' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Media Assistant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |