$57,550
Public Relations Specialists
$52,090
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of public relations managers was $91,810 in May 2010. The median wage is the point at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,720, and the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400.
The median annual wage of public relations specialists was $52,090 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,560, and the top 10 percent earned more than$ 95,200.
Most public relations managers and specialists work full time, and some work additional hours. In 2010, almost one-third of public relations managers and specialists worked more than 40 hours per week.
Job Outlook
Public Relations Managers and Specialists
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Public Relations Specialists
23%
Public Relations Managers and Specialists
21%
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
16%
Total, All Occupations
14%
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Employment of public relations managers and specialists is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow 23 percent during the same period, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The trends affecting public relations specialists will also affect managers, as the increasing importance of public relations will require more managers to plan and direct public relations departments.
Organizations are increasingly emphasizing community outreach and customer relations as a way to enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly because both good and bad news spreads rapidly through the Internet. Consequently, public relations specialists are expected to be needed to respond to news developments and maintain their organization’s reputation.
Increased use of social media also is expected to increase employment growth for public relations specialists. These new media outlets will create more work for public relations workers, increasing the number and kinds of avenues of communication between organizations and the public. Public relations specialists will be needed to help their clients use these new types of media effectively.
Employment is likely to grow in public relations firms as organizations contract out public relations services rather than support more full-time staff when additional work is needed.
Job Prospects
In addition to job growth for other reasons, opportunities should come from the need to replace public relations managers and specialists who retire or leave the occupation.
Competition for entry-level jobs will likely be strong.
Employment projections data for public relations managers and specialists, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric
Public Relations Managers and Specialists
— 320,000 388,300 21 68,300 —
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
11-2031 61,900 72,100 16 10,200
Public Relations Specialists
27-3031 258,100 316,200 23 58,200
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of public relations managers and specialists.
OCCUPATION JOB DUTIES ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION MEDIAN ANNUAL PAY, MAY 2010
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Editors
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Bachelor’s degree $51,470
Market Research Analysts
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Multimedia Artists and Animators
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Bachelor’s degree $58,510
Producers and Directors
Producers and directors are in charge of creating motion pictures, television shows,
