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The differences between public affairs specialists 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 specialist and a communications coordinator. Additionally, a public affairs specialist has an average salary of $66,383, which is higher than the $47,075 average annual salary of a communications coordinator.
The top three skills for a public affairs specialist include news stories, veterans and fact sheets. The most important skills for a communications coordinator are customer service, web content, and event planning.
| Public Affairs Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $66,383 | $47,075 |
| Hourly rate | $31.91 | $22.63 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 19,889 | 39,790 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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 specialists and communications coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Affairs Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $66,383 | $47,075 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $102,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a public affairs specialist and a communications coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Public Affairs Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between public affairs specialists' and communications coordinators' demographics:
| Public Affairs Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.2% Female, 52.8% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |