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The differences between public affairs assistants 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 public affairs assistant and a communications coordinator. Additionally, a public affairs assistant has an average salary of $50,453, which is higher than the $47,075 average annual salary of a communications coordinator.
The top three skills for a public affairs assistant include data entry, public affairs and press releases. The most important skills for a communications coordinator are customer service, web content, and event planning.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $50,453 | $47,075 |
| Hourly rate | $24.26 | $22.63 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 16,955 | 39,790 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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.
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.
Public affairs assistants and communications coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $50,453 | $47,075 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $91,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Hunton & Williams LLP | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a public affairs assistant and a communications coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between public affairs assistants' and communications coordinators' demographics:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| 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, 10.3% 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% |