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Public relations manager vs public relations specialist

The differences between public relations managers and public relations 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 manager and a public relations specialist. Additionally, a public relations manager has an average salary of $91,426, which is higher than the $48,124 average annual salary of a public relations specialist.

The top three skills for a public relations manager include press releases, web content and pr campaigns. The most important skills for a public relations specialist are press releases, web content, and project management.

Public relations manager vs public relations specialist overview

Public Relations ManagerPublic Relations Specialist
Yearly salary$91,426$48,124
Hourly rate$43.95$23.14
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs35,27329,698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a public relations manager do?

A public relations manager is responsible for monitoring the public relations department to boost its brand image and attract potential clients through press releases and media coverage. They work closely with the marketing team, developing marketing campaigns and promotional strategies for creating brand awareness. Public relations managers maintain the company's presence on various social media platforms, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns regarding the company's goods and services. A public relations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and profitability.

What does a public relations specialist do?

A public relations specialist is an individual who creates and maintains a favorable public image of an organization by crafting media releases and developing social media programs. Public relations specialists must help their clients communicate effectively with the public as well as evaluate the public opinion of their clients through social media. They need to draft their press releases and contact people in the media who might want to broadcast their materials. Public relations specialists are also required to draft speeches and arrange interviews for the top executives of their organization.

Public relations manager vs public relations specialist salary

Public relations managers and public relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Public Relations ManagerPublic Relations Specialist
Average salary$91,426$48,124
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $128,000Between $33,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNevadaWashington
Best paying companyGoogleMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between public relations manager and public relations specialist education

There are a few differences between a public relations manager and a public relations specialist in terms of educational background:

Public Relations ManagerPublic Relations Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 81%
Most common majorCommunicationCommunication
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Public relations manager vs public relations specialist demographics

Here are the differences between public relations managers' and public relations specialists' demographics:

Public Relations ManagerPublic Relations Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 34.5% Female, 65.5%Male, 30.3% Female, 69.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 74.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage16%12%

Differences between public relations manager and public relations specialist duties and responsibilities

Public relations manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage social media - provide content ideas, monitor FB and Instagram activity.
  • Manage events and promotions; create Christmas event, manage twitter account and make marketing plans.
  • Lead a successful rebranding effort to transition the organization into a premier corporate training provider in SoCal.
  • Lead a rebranding and revitalization of the intranet by focusing on improving internal communication, search capabilities, and branding elements.
  • Interview featured alumni, manage copywriting staff and editorial calendar, and coordinate photography.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Show more

Public relations specialist example responsibilities.

  • Plan and manage social media efforts which generate> 22k incremental Instagram followers in four months.
  • Manage public affairs and media efforts including writing and placing op-eds and mobilizing editorial campaigns.
  • Maintain strong working relationships across all departments to manage successful on-site opportunities, content and multimedia asset development and spokesperson requests.
  • Prepare or edit organizational publications for internal and external audiences, including Facebook, media and local newspapers.
  • Launch Instagram account for Chevy Motorsports fans.
  • Promote company through personal blog, twitter and reddit pages.
  • Show more

Public relations manager vs public relations specialist skills

Common public relations manager skills
  • Press Releases, 20%
  • Web Content, 5%
  • Pr Campaigns, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Facebook, 3%
Common public relations specialist skills
  • Press Releases, 18%
  • Web Content, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Facebook, 4%
  • Story Development, 4%
  • Marketing Campaigns, 4%

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