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The differences between media relations directors and community relations directors 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 community relations director. Additionally, a media relations director has an average salary of $115,268, which is higher than the $96,788 average annual salary of a community relations director.
The top three skills for a media relations director include web content, spokesperson and crisis communications. The most important skills for a community relations director are community relations, community events, and memory care.
| Media Relations Director | Community Relations Director | |
| Yearly salary | $115,268 | $96,788 |
| Hourly rate | $55.42 | $46.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 32,391 | 33,569 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 community relations director is an individual who is responsible for managing positive relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations, and fellow employees surrounding an organization. Community relations directors must plan, organize, and manage activities to help the organization achieve its public relations goal. They need to interface with vital community groups so that they can ensure the organization is producing effective results. Community relations managers must also assist in preparing a variety of publicity materials such as speeches and media content.
Media relations directors and community relations directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Director | Community Relations Director | |
| Average salary | $115,268 | $96,788 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $188,000 | Between $61,000 And $152,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New York |
| Best paying company | Phoenix Children's | Zoho |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a media relations director and a community relations director in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Director | Community Relations Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between media relations directors' and community relations directors' demographics:
| Media Relations Director | Community Relations Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2% |
| 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, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |