Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between public relations associates and marketing communications specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a public relations associate, becoming a marketing communications specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a marketing communications specialist has an average salary of $53,993, which is higher than the $48,953 average annual salary of a public relations associate.
The top three skills for a public relations associate include press releases, web content and facebook. The most important skills for a marketing communications specialist are digital marketing, project management, and graphic design.
| Public Relations Associate | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $48,953 | $53,993 |
| Hourly rate | $23.54 | $25.96 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 24,482 | 95,444 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A public relations associate is responsible for assisting the operations of the public relations department on developing campaigns and promotions to promote brand image on various digital platforms and other communication mediums. Public relations associates handle press releases, create digital content, organize public events, and identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and attract potential clients. They also disseminate accurate information to the public regarding company news and special announcements. A public relations associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on adhering to deadlines and business requirements.
A marketing communications specialist is an individual who is responsible for creating all the marketing materials that are distributed to customers to increase brand awareness for the company's products or services. To create these materials, marketing communications specialists must collaborate with graphic design teams. They are required to track their marketing performance so that they can identify ways to improve their marketing strategies. Marketing communications specialists must also set up interviews and press conferences as part of their marketing campaign.
Public relations associates and marketing communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Relations Associate | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $48,953 | $53,993 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $68,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a public relations associate and a marketing communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Public Relations Associate | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between public relations associates' and marketing communications specialists' demographics:
| Public Relations Associate | Marketing Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% | Male, 28.0% Female, 72.0% |
| 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, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |