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The differences between social media specialists and content creators 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 content creator. Additionally, a content creator has an average salary of $61,988, which is higher than the $51,584 average annual salary of a social media specialist.
The top three skills for a social media specialist include social media marketing, instagram and digital marketing. The most important skills for a content creator are content creation, instagram, and digital content.
| Social Media Specialist | Content Creator | |
| Yearly salary | $51,584 | $61,988 |
| Hourly rate | $24.80 | $29.80 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 13% |
| Number of jobs | 47,228 | 9,142 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| 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 content creator is primarily responsible for producing written, verbal, and visual materials that promote products and services to a particular audience. In a company setting, a content creator adheres to managers or senior creators' directives, fact-check and review data, coordinate with other staff such as graphic artists, and participate in developing promotional materials. Moreover, a content creator utilizes social media for brand awareness. They must maintain knowledge of the latest trends, create content that captures the public's interest, and engage with clients, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Social media specialists and content creators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Media Specialist | Content Creator | |
| Average salary | $51,584 | $61,988 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $38,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Washington |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Internet |
There are a few differences between a social media specialist and a content creator in terms of educational background:
| Social Media Specialist | Content Creator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between social media specialists' and content creators' demographics:
| Social Media Specialist | Content Creator | |
| Average age | 42 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% | Male, 55.7% Female, 44.3% |
| 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, 7.2% Unknown, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 10.7% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 9% |