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The differences between public relations account executives 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 relations account executive and a communications specialist. Additionally, a public relations account executive has an average salary of $53,485, which is higher than the $51,023 average annual salary of a communications specialist.
The top three skills for a public relations account executive include press releases, digital marketing and fact sheets. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Public Relations Account Executive | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,485 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $25.71 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 121,389 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 86% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Public Relations Account Associate is responsible for managing the brand's media relations and strategizing promotional campaigns for client accounts. They coordinate with the clients for their specifications and requirements, including their budget limitations, target audience, and timetables. They also work closely with the sales team to identify the sales performance and adjust project management plans as needed. A Public Relations Account Associate handles brand communication to various media platforms and ensure that the methods lead to client success and satisfaction.
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 relations account executives and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Relations Account Executive | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,485 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $79,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | McLean, VA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Edelman Financial Engines | |
| Best paying industry | Media | Technology |
There are a few differences between a public relations account executive and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Public Relations Account Executive | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 86% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between public relations account executives' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Public Relations Account Executive | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% | 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, 67.0% 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% |