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The differences between social media specialists and strategists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a social media specialist, becoming a strategist takes usually requires 8-10 years. Additionally, a strategist has an average salary of $104,881, 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 strategist are project management, customer satisfaction, and powerpoint.
| Social Media Specialist | Strategist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,584 | $104,881 |
| Hourly rate | $24.80 | $50.42 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 47,228 | 44,596 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 10 |
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.
The job of the strategist involves the development and implementation of a strategy. Generally, strategists set goals, identify actions to achieve the objectives, and mobilize resources for the actions. They make functional strategies for businesses and profit improvement. They are considered as the thinkers who develop the course of a project of the business program. The skills necessary for this job include critical thinking, management skills, attention to detail, and leadership skill. They should be equipped with knowledge about business and management.
Social media specialists and strategists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Media Specialist | Strategist | |
| Average salary | $51,584 | $104,881 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $62,000 And $176,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a social media specialist and a strategist in terms of educational background:
| Social Media Specialist | Strategist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between social media specialists' and strategists' demographics:
| Social Media Specialist | Strategist | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% | Male, 54.5% Female, 45.5% |
| 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, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |