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The differences between publicity assistants 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 publicity assistant and a communications specialist. Additionally, a communications specialist has an average salary of $51,023, which is higher than the $39,387 average annual salary of a publicity assistant.
The top three skills for a publicity assistant include press releases, provide technical assistance and technical assistance. The most important skills for a communications specialist are customer service, powerpoint, and patients.
| Publicity Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $39,387 | $51,023 |
| Hourly rate | $18.94 | $24.53 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 8,193 | 42,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A publicity assistant aids and offers support to the publicity team at a public relations (PR) firm or related firms. Your duties may vary but typically include researching relevant trends and data for PR campaigns, assisting in the creation and selection of marketing materials, and developing and maintaining good client relationships. As a publicity assistant, you are responsible for promoting the organization and maintaining the public appearance, and managing and overseeing social media accounts. You are also responsible for maintaining accurate records of correspondence.
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.
Publicity assistants and communications specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Publicity Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Average salary | $39,387 | $51,023 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $56,000 | Between $36,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a publicity assistant and a communications specialist in terms of educational background:
| Publicity Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between publicity assistants' and communications specialists' demographics:
| Publicity Assistant | Communications Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% 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% |