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The differences between public relations directors and directors of communications and marketing 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 director, becoming a director of communications and marketing takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a public relations director has an average salary of $94,692, which is higher than the $87,324 average annual salary of a director of communications and marketing.
The top three skills for a public relations director include press releases, web content and pr campaigns. The most important skills for a director of communications and marketing are web content, strategic communications, and marketing campaigns.
| Public Relations Director | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Yearly salary | $94,692 | $87,324 |
| Hourly rate | $45.52 | $41.98 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 31,693 | 109,600 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 10 |
A public relations director is an individual who is employed to design and implement marketing strategies that can cultivate the relationship between a company and the media. Public relations directors collaborate with the internal team to boost brand awareness and maximize brand consistency in all advertising efforts. They must arrange interviews and press releases so that they can promote their company and its products or services. They also maintain relationships with the media and should manage sensitive issues to maintain the company's good reputation.
A director of communications and marketing spearheads a company's marketing and communication projects in adherence with the company's vision and mission. Being the director, they have the authority to make decisions, delegate responsibilities among managers and teams, and direct the project and program cycle from planning to execution, solving issues and concerns if any would arise. They also set goals and budgets, establish timelines and requirements, and conduct regular assessments. Additionally, as a director, they must lead and empower employees in a joint effort to reach goals and industry standards.
Public relations directors and directors of communications and marketing have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Public Relations Director | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Average salary | $94,692 | $87,324 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $150,000 | Between $57,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | Napa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New York |
| Best paying company | Exelixis | Paul Hastings |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Professional |
There are a few differences between a public relations director and a director of communications and marketing in terms of educational background:
| Public Relations Director | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 81% | Bachelor's Degree, 80% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between public relations directors' and directors of communications and marketing' demographics:
| Public Relations Director | Director Of Communications And Marketing | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1% | Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 10% |