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The differences between media relations managers 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 manager and a communications manager. Additionally, a media relations manager has an average salary of $86,031, which is higher than the $81,304 average annual salary of a communications manager.
The top three skills for a media relations manager include press releases, strategic communications and external communications. The most important skills for a communications manager are customer service, property management, and yardi.
| Media Relations Manager | Communications Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $86,031 | $81,304 |
| Hourly rate | $41.36 | $39.09 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 31,281 | 26,350 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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 managers and communications managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Manager | Communications Manager | |
| Average salary | $86,031 | $81,304 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $129,000 | Between $53,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | Shearman & Sterling | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a media relations manager and a communications manager in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Manager | Communications Manager | |
| 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 communications managers' demographics:
| Media Relations Manager | Communications Manager | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | 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% |