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The differences between strategic communications consultants and media relations 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 strategic communications consultant and a media relations specialist. Additionally, a strategic communications consultant has an average salary of $79,405, which is higher than the $50,856 average annual salary of a media relations specialist.
The top three skills for a strategic communications consultant include press releases, web content and linkedin. The most important skills for a media relations specialist are patients, compassion, and press releases.
| Strategic Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $79,405 | $50,856 |
| Hourly rate | $38.18 | $24.45 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 29,342 | 44,665 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A strategic communications consultant is involved in the preparation of media releases for a company. This professional often works as a freelancer and is often hired by a media consulting company or by industries such as finance and technology. The core skills that a strategic communications consultant should possess to accomplish his/her or her job responsibilities include strong interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills. The job's education requirements include a bachelor's or master's degree in business, marketing, communication, or a related field.
A media relations specialist's role is to help a company maintain good public relations through various forms of media, ensuring to convey their brand's purpose and message. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing strategies and opportunities, producing newsletters and press releases, remaining updated with the latest trends, and even managing the company's social media platforms. A media relations specialist may also delegate tasks to writers and graphic designers, arrange schedules, and ensure that all goals are met within the expected deadline and budget.
Strategic communications consultants and media relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Strategic Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $79,405 | $50,856 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $128,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Edelman Financial Engines |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a strategic communications consultant and a media relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Strategic Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between strategic communications consultants' and media relations specialists' demographics:
| Strategic Communications Consultant | Media Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |