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The differences between public affairs assistants 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 public affairs assistant and a communications specialist. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, 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 specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,453 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $24.26 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 16,955 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 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.
Public affairs assistants and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $50,453 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $91,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Hunton & Williams LLP | |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a public affairs assistant and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between public affairs assistants' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |