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The differences between public affairs assistants and public affairs 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 public affairs specialist. Additionally, a public affairs specialist has an average salary of $66,383, 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 public affairs specialist are news stories, veterans, and fact sheets.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,453 | $66,383 |
| Hourly rate | $24.26 | $31.91 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 16,955 | 19,889 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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.
Psychology research assistants take charge of the operational and administrative tasks like mailing surveys, summarizing results, and managing correspondence. The research assistants identify the areas in need of improvement and score psychological tests. They prepare the interview questions and summarize test results. Their job involves responding to research-related emails and take part in project meetings. Also, they update the content of websites and prepare reports of their progress. The skills they need in carrying out this job include communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, and technical skills.
Public affairs assistants and public affairs specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Affairs Assistant | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average salary | $50,453 | $66,383 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $91,000 | Between $43,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Hunton & Williams LLP | |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a public affairs assistant and a public affairs specialist in terms of educational background:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between public affairs assistants' and public affairs specialists' demographics:
| Public Affairs Assistant | Public Affairs Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% |
| 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, 5.3% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |