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Public relations manager vs specialist

The differences between public relations managers and 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 manager, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a public relations manager has an average salary of $91,426, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.

The top three skills for a public relations manager include press releases, web content and pr campaigns. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Public relations manager vs specialist overview

Public Relations ManagerSpecialist
Yearly salary$91,426$58,013
Hourly rate$43.95$27.89
Growth rate8%10%
Number of jobs35,273358,433
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4242
Years of experience42

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 specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Public relations manager vs specialist salary

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

Public Relations ManagerSpecialist
Average salary$91,426$58,013
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $128,000Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying CityLas Vegas, NVJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateNevadaNew Jersey
Best paying companyGoogleThe Citadel
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between public relations manager and specialist education

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

Public Relations ManagerSpecialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCommunicationBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityStanford University

Public relations manager vs specialist demographics

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

Public Relations ManagerSpecialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 34.5% Female, 65.5%Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%11%

Differences between public relations manager and 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

Specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
  • Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
  • Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
  • Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
  • Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
  • Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).
  • Show more

Public relations manager vs 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 specialist skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Exceptional Client, 4%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%

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