Public Relations Specialists
SOC code 27-3031 · O*NET-SOC 27-3031.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Public Relations Specialists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$74,750
a year
Hourly
$35.94
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$84,120
$40.44 per hour
Middle 50%
$56,260 – $100,370
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$44,110 – $135,150
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
283,380
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $44,110
- $21.21/hr
- 25th percentile
- $56,260
- $27.05/hr
- Median percentile
- $74,750
- $35.94/hr
- 75th percentile
- $100,370
- $48.25/hr
- 90th percentile
- $135,150
- $64.98/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
315,900
jobs in 2024
331,000
projected for 2034
About 15,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a public relations specialist do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a public relations specialist
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 91% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree91%
- Master's Degree9%
Common questions
How much does a public relations specialist earn?
The national median is $74,750 a year. The full range runs from $44,110 at the 10th percentile to $135,150 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 specialist 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.
Is public relations specialist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Communications and Media4.9/5
- English Language4.7/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Sales and Marketing3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Administrative3.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making.