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Press secretary vs communications specialist

The differences between press secretaries and communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a press secretary and a communications specialist. Additionally, a press secretary has an average salary of $66,560, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.

The top three skills for a press secretary include press releases, press conferences and policy issues. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.

Press secretary vs communications specialist overview

Press SecretaryCommunications Specialist
Yearly salary$66,560$51,023
Hourly rate$32.00$24.53
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs18,82742,819
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Press secretary vs communications specialist salary

Press secretaries and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Press SecretaryCommunications Specialist
Average salary$66,560$51,023
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $96,000Between $36,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between press secretary and communications specialist education

There are a few differences between a press secretary and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:

Press SecretaryCommunications Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPolitical ScienceCommunication
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyStanford University

Press secretary vs communications specialist demographics

Here are the differences between press secretaries' and communications specialists' demographics:

Press SecretaryCommunications Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 50.1% Female, 49.9%Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage12%12%

Differences between press secretary and communications specialist duties and responsibilities

Press secretary example responsibilities.

  • Plan and manage social media efforts which generate> 22k incremental Instagram followers in four months.
  • Serve as a spokesperson on business and economic development matters.
  • Facilitate the placement of articles, columns, and editorials in support of key issues.
  • Serve as primary agency spokesperson conducting on-camera and radio interviews.
  • Foster an energetic public discussion through Facebook and videos, exciting visual displays, carefully target humor and thought-provoking questions.
  • Brief senior cabinet officers daily on local news and editorial coverage.
  • Show more

Communications specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage all client data and meeting history in Salesforce.
  • Provision, manage PRI-ISDN and IP installation of AARP state offices for AARP video systems.
  • Manage course syllabi, scientific abstracts, reprints and course development according to all ACCME and FDA guidelines.
  • Manage CRM database and develop key communication items such as email blasts, brochures, flyers, and bulletins.
  • Manage website: regularly update content, implement SEO and monitor website activity.
  • Manage and update written communications on organization's Facebook page and other social media outlets
  • Show more

Press secretary vs communications specialist skills

Common press secretary skills
  • Press Releases, 33%
  • Press Conferences, 10%
  • Policy Issues, 5%
  • Press Events, 3%
  • Strategic Communications, 3%
  • Opinion Pieces, 3%
Common communications specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Web Content, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Press Releases, 5%

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