How much does a public relations specialist make?

The median pay is $35.94 per hour — roughly $75,000 a year, with the real range running from about $21.21/hr (10th percentile) to $64.98/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a public relations specialist?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a public relations specialist actually do all 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.

Arts & Media◆ PROMISING

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.

What it pays
Public Relations Specialists earn a median of $35.94/hr — about $75,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $21.21/hr; the top 10% earn $64.98/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually 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.
Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

Time pressure is a real part of the job. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1.9% of public relations specialists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are take-charge, creative and people-focused.

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Related careers

Quick questions

How much does a public relations specialist make?: The median pay is $35.94 per hour — roughly $75,000 a year, with the real range running from about $21.21/hr (10th percentile) to $64.98/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a public relations specialist?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
What does a public relations specialist actually do all 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.