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The differences between media relations managers and assistant directors, communications can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a media relations manager, becoming an assistant director, communications takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a media relations manager has an average salary of $86,031, which is higher than the $54,965 average annual salary of an assistant director, communications.
The top three skills for a media relations manager include press releases, strategic communications and external communications. The most important skills for an assistant director, communications are customer service, property management, and professional development.
| Media Relations Manager | Assistant Director, Communications | |
| Yearly salary | $86,031 | $54,965 |
| Hourly rate | $41.36 | $26.43 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,281 | 36,340 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A media relations manager is in charge of devising strategies to raise brand awareness through media communications. Their responsibilities typically revolve around creating newsletters and print materials, identify media opportunities, assist in writing communication materials such as speech and press releases, and maintain positive relationships with the media. One may also handle social networking platforms, develop new marketing concepts, and manage media campaigns. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
An assistant communications director is responsible for managing the communicative operations across the company, handling the dissemination of information among employees, and releasing management announcements to media platforms. Assistant communications directors draft project techniques and strategies, as well as monitoring social media contents and press releases. They also identify business opportunities by analyzing recent trends that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits. An assistant communications director must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in assessing business information to prevent miscommunications and negative publications.
Media relations managers and assistant directors, communications have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Manager | Assistant Director, Communications | |
| Average salary | $86,031 | $54,965 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $129,000 | Between $30,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | Pace University |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Government |
There are a few differences between a media relations manager and an assistant director, communications in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Manager | Assistant Director, Communications | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | 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 managers' and assistant directors, communications' demographics:
| Media Relations Manager | Assistant Director, Communications | |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% |
| 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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 5.2% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 12% |