Marketing Manager
Median wage · national
$166,790
Range: $123K – $216K
Employed
395K
Openings/yr
34K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist earn $74,750 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $56,260 and $100,370. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Public Relations Specialist
Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.
- Median Wage
- $74,750
- Employed Nationally
- 283K
- Openings / Year
- 27,600
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Audience Coordinator
Brand Advocate
Communication Specialist
Communications Associate
Communications Coordinator
How Much Do Public Relations Specialists Make?
Public Relations Specialist earn $74,750 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,260 and $100,370. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$74,750
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$56K–$100K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$56,260
Entry-level
$74,750
Median
$100,370
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $84,120, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Public Relations Specialists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Public Relations Specialist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Speaking
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Public Relations Specialists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Public Relations Specialists?
The BLS projects +4.8% employment change for Public Relations Specialist through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 27,600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +4.8%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
27,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
283K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Public Relations Specialist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $74,750 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 31,070 | $81,490 | +9.0% |
| 2 | New York | 25,780 | $78,510 | +5.0% |
| 3 | Texas | 25,270 | $61,100 | -18.3% |
| 4 | Florida | 18,500 | $60,210 | -19.5% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 18,110 | $97,800 | +30.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Public Relations Specialist positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Communication & Media | 56,620 | $56,359 | 1,406 |
| 2 | Public Relations | 20,666 | $63,560 | 608 |
| 3 | Business Operations Support | 837 | $65,784 | 80 |
| 4 | Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business | 560 | $64,926 | 26 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Public Relations Specialists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 3 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Public Relations Specialist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Public Relations Specialist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Public Relations Specialist Pros & Cons
The data on Public Relations Specialist shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $74,750 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +4.8% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $100,370 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Wide job market 283K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $74,750 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $56,260 is considerably below the $74,750 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Public Relations Specialist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Public Relations Specialist professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Public Relations Specialist is $74,750, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,260 and $100,370. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Public Relations Specialist a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $74,750 median, with +4.8% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Public Relations Specialist?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Communication & Media are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $74,750 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Public Relations Specialist?
The BLS projects +4.8% employment change for Public Relations Specialist through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 27,600 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 283K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Public Relations Specialist professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Public Relations Specialist roles: Speaking, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, and Writing. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.