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The differences between public affairs assistants and communications consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a public affairs assistant and a communications consultant. Additionally, a communications consultant has an average salary of $91,455, which is higher than the $50,453 average annual salary of a public affairs assistant.
The top three skills for a public affairs assistant include data entry, public affairs and press releases. The most important skills for a communications consultant are powerpoint, web content, and project management.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $50,453 | $91,455 |
| Hourly rate | $24.26 | $43.97 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 16,955 | 29,942 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Public Affairs Assistants can enjoy a salary of around $44K per year and requires a bachelor's degree in either marketing, journalism, public relations, or communications, as well as work experience in public affairs or related positions. Skill-wise, one must have experience in drafting press release materials, coordinating press meets and other events, applying knowledge of marketing and advertising strategies, and understanding social media to be successful. This position will mandate the provision of public relations departmental support through filing, copying, answering the phone, assembly of press kits, customer surveys, and social media content to customers, and conducting media research.
Communications consultants are responsible for preparing media releases, whether through print, video, or email. They perform varied tasks that may include working on complete projects such as media analysis and branding, creating strategies to reinforced communication among clients and employees, and providing guidance and recommendations to a company's public relations team. Communications consultants may also conduct training on best practices for other employees. Some employers prefer someone with a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations or journalism, previous work experience in a related field, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Public affairs assistants and communications consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Consultant | |
| Average salary | $50,453 | $91,455 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $91,000 | Between $63,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Hunton & Williams LLP | Dell |
| Best paying industry | - | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a public affairs assistant and a communications consultant in terms of educational background:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between public affairs assistants' and communications consultants' demographics:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Consultant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |