Public Relations Specialist: what the job is, what it pays, and how to get hired.

Median pay

$74,750

BLS May 2025

Employed in the U.S.

283,380

BLS May 2025

Preparation

Job Zone 4 of 5

considerable preparation

Most common education

Bachelor's Degree

91% of workers

1. Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
2. Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
3. Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
4. Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
5. Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
6. Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
7. Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
8. Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.

Workday sitting

79.2%

mean share of the day required to sit

Most common strength level

Sedentary

85.0% of workers

Can pause work

more than 99.5%

of workers could take short, unscheduled breaks

Self-paced workload

79.9%

of workers set their own workload

Employer-changed schedules

31.8%

of workers had schedules changed by the employer week to week

On TryHired lists: Desk jobs.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey. Estimates are preliminary; ranges are shown as published.

1. Professional, scientific, and technical services19.7% of all jobs in this occupation · +4.1% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $95,830
2. Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations18.3% of all jobs in this occupation · +2.3% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $81,190
3. Educational services; state, local, and private14.3% of all jobs in this occupation · -0.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $73,050
4. Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals10.5% of all jobs in this occupation · -1.6% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $87,410
5. Management of companies and enterprises4.0% of all jobs in this occupation · +1.5% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $99,790
6. Social assistance2.7% of all jobs in this occupation · +3.9% projected change here 2025–35 · mean wage $61,060

Sources: BLS 2025–35 National Employment Matrix (share of the occupation's jobs, projected change) and BLS OEWS May 2025 industry estimates (mean wage). Different industry estimates are not a pay forecast for any person.

Knowledge areas: Communications and Media, English Language, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing, Computers and Electronics.

• Adobe Creative Cloud softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareIn demand
• Adobe InDesignDesktop publishing softwareIn demand
• Adobe PhotoshopGraphics or photo imaging softwareIn demand
• CanvaGraphics or photo imaging softwareIn demand
• WordPressWeb page creation and editing softwareIn demand
• Adobe After EffectsVideo creation and editing softwareHot technology
• Adobe IllustratorGraphics or photo imaging softwareHot technology
• FacebookWeb page creation and editing softwareHot technology
• Google AnalyticsData mining softwareHot technology
• HubSpot softwareSales and marketing softwareHot technology
• Marketo Marketing AutomationSales and marketing softwareHot technology
• Adobe DreamweaverWeb page creation and editing software

Also called: Public Relation Specialist, Communications Specialist, Community Relations Coordinator, Corporate Communications Specialist, Information and Communications Specialist, Media Relations Specialist, Public Affairs Specialist.