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The differences between media relations specialists and communications coordinators 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 specialist and a communications coordinator. Additionally, a media relations specialist has an average salary of $50,856, which is higher than the $47,075 average annual salary of a communications coordinator.
The top three skills for a media relations specialist include patients, compassion and press releases. The most important skills for a communications coordinator are customer service, web content, and event planning.
| Media Relations Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $50,856 | $47,075 |
| Hourly rate | $24.45 | $22.63 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 44,665 | 39,790 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
A communications coordinator is responsible for overseeing the communications department's operations, developing the brand image, and monitoring press releases, company articles, and other related marketing materials for business promotion and visibility. Communications coordinators actively interact with existing and potential clients, negotiate contracts, and build profitable partnerships. They also develop strategic procedures for creating the business' online presence, organizing promotional events, and media conferences. A communications coordinator must have excellent communication and organization skills to maintain a good reputation and customer satisfaction.
Media relations specialists and communications coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Relations Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $50,856 | $47,075 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $69,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Edelman Financial Engines | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Government |
There are a few differences between a media relations specialist and a communications coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Media Relations Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between media relations specialists' and communications coordinators' demographics:
| Media Relations Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |