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The differences between media relations directors and public relations 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 public relations manager. Additionally, a media relations director has an average salary of $115,268, which is higher than the $91,426 average annual salary of a public relations manager.
The top three skills for a media relations director include web content, spokesperson and crisis communications. The most important skills for a public relations manager are press releases, web content, and pr campaigns.
| Media Relations Director | Public Relations Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $115,268 | $91,426 |
| Hourly rate | $55.42 | $43.95 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 32,391 | 35,273 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| 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 public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.
Media relations directors and public relations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Director | Public Relations Manager | |
| Average salary | $115,268 | $91,426 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $188,000 | Between $64,000 And $128,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Las Vegas, NV |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Phoenix Children's | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a media relations director and a public relations manager in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Director | Public Relations Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 84% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between media relations directors' and public relations managers' demographics:
| Media Relations Director | Public Relations Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| 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, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |