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The differences between media relations directors and communications managers 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 relations director and a communications manager. Additionally, a media relations director has an average salary of $115,268, which is higher than the $81,304 average annual salary of a communications manager.
The top three skills for a media relations director include web content, spokesperson and crisis communications. The most important skills for a communications manager are customer service, property management, and yardi.
| Media Relations Director | Communications Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $115,268 | $81,304 |
| Hourly rate | $55.42 | $39.09 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 32,391 | 26,350 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Media Relations Director spearheads and oversees the brand image and overall media relations of an organization. They are responsible for making advertising and marketing decisions, setting goals and guidelines, establishing budgets and timelines, managing and coordinating directors, liaising with internal and external parties, delegating tasks among teams, and developing strategies from planning to execution. A Media Relations Director leads and encourages staff to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A communications manager is responsible for overseeing a company or organization's public relations by devising various strategies and finding new opportunities. They must craft and produce marketing materials such as campaigns, advertisements, newsletters, social media engagements, and press releases to shape and improve a brand or company. Furthermore, a communications manager must accomplish administrative tasks such as preparing reports and necessary documentation, reaching out to advertisers, leading communication letters, and coordinating with marketing personnel from other departments.
Media relations directors and communications managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Director | Communications Manager | |
| Average salary | $115,268 | $81,304 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $188,000 | Between $53,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | California |
| Best paying company | Phoenix Children's | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a media relations director and a communications manager in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Director | Communications Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between media relations directors' and communications managers' demographics:
| Media Relations Director | Communications Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.6% 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, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |