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Career overview · SOC 27-3031

Public Relations Specialists

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.

Also called: Communications Specialist · Community Relations Coordinator · Corporate Communications Specialist · Information and Communications Specialist · Media Relations Specialist · Public Affairs Specialist

Median pay (national)
$69,780
$40,750–$129,480 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
280,590
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.8%
~27,600 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for public relations specialists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $129,480 versus $40,750 at the bottom 10% — 3.2x. The median of $69,780 leaves roughly 86% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.8% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 27,600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $97,800, +40% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $45,900 — a 113% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Canva as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Monitoring
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • 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.
  • Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
  • Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
  • 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.
  • Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders' reports, for internal or external audiences.
  • Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.

Tools & technology

  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Canva
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • WordPress
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Apple macOS
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Cisco Webex
  • Facebook

Knowledge areas

  • Communications and Media
  • English Language
  • Administration and Management
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administrative
  • Personnel and Human Resources