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The differences between social media specialists and communications coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a social media specialist and a communications coordinator. Additionally, a social media specialist has an average salary of $51,584, which is higher than the $47,075 average annual salary of a communications coordinator.
The top three skills for a social media specialist include social media marketing, instagram and digital marketing. The most important skills for a communications coordinator are customer service, web content, and event planning.
| Social Media Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $51,584 | $47,075 |
| Hourly rate | $24.80 | $22.63 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 47,228 | 39,790 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A social media specialist is an individual who is responsible for creating and administering content on all social media platforms to build an audience and ensure customer engagement. By using platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, social media specialists must create content that resonates with the interests of the intended audience. They are required to understand social media metrics so that they can use the information to ensure success in their social media strategy. Social media specialists must also work with industry professionals and influencers via social media to create a strong network.
A communications coordinator is responsible for overseeing the communications department's operations, developing the brand image, and monitoring press releases, company articles, and other related marketing materials for business promotion and visibility. Communications coordinators actively interact with existing and potential clients, negotiate contracts, and build profitable partnerships. They also develop strategic procedures for creating the business' online presence, organizing promotional events, and media conferences. A communications coordinator must have excellent communication and organization skills to maintain a good reputation and customer satisfaction.
Social media specialists and communications coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Media Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $51,584 | $47,075 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a social media specialist and a communications coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Social Media Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between social media specialists' and communications coordinators' demographics:
| Social Media Specialist | Communications Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |