Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between multimedia specialists and communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a multimedia specialist, becoming a communications specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a multimedia specialist has an average salary of $52,299, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a multimedia specialist include video production, graphic design and photography. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Multimedia Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,299 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $25.14 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 21,798 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A multimedia specialist is in charge of developing multimedia and visual materials according to project and program needs. They typically work together with a company's creative team where they are responsible for performing research and analysis, understanding the purpose of projects, conceptualizing plans, identifying market trends, preparing samples for client approval, and developing strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a multimedia specialist, it is essential to adhere to project timelines and budgets, including the company's policies and regulations.
A communications specialist takes charge of addressing the public by coming up with various strategic campaigns, newsletters, public correspondence, press releases, and advertisements. Their primary role focuses on promoting, shaping, and enhancing a brand's image through public relations. Furthermore, a communications specialist is responsible for handling any complaints or issues, devising and conducting damage control to resolve bad publicity should there be any. It is also essential for a communications specialist to adhere to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
Multimedia specialists and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Multimedia Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,299 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $71,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newport, RI | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Gap Inc. | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a multimedia specialist and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Multimedia Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between multimedia specialists' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Multimedia Specialist | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |