Public Relations Managers
SOC code 11-2032 · O*NET-SOC 11-2032.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Public Relations Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$146,910
a year
Hourly
$70.63
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$164,760
$79.21 per hour
Middle 50%
$106,580 – $204,520
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$82,410 – $284,990
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
74,850
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $82,410
- $39.62/hr
- 25th percentile
- $106,580
- $51.24/hr
- Median percentile
- $146,910
- $70.63/hr
- 75th percentile
- $204,520
- $98.33/hr
- 90th percentile
- $284,990
- $137.01/hr
What does a public relations manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities.
- Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff.
- Identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.
- Develop, implement, or maintain crisis communication plans.
- Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet web pages.
- Manage communications budgets.
- Develop and maintain the company's corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
- Facilitate consumer relations or the relationship between parts of the company, such as the managers and employees, or different branch offices.
How to become a public relations manager
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a public relations manager earn?
The national median is $146,910 a year. The full range runs from $82,410 at the 10th percentile to $284,990 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a public relations manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.1/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Communications and Media4.9/5
- English Language4.7/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Sales and Marketing3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Administrative3.2/5
- Law and Government3.1/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination.