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: Audience Coordinator, Brand Advocate, Communication Specialist, Communications Associate, Communications Coordinator, Communications Specialist
Median pay
$74,750
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,110 – $135,150
People employed
283,380
Holland code
EAS
Enterprising · Artistic · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 4.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Public Relations Specialists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What public relations specialists do
- 01Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- 02Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- 03Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- 04Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- 05Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
- 06Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Communications and Media
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Adaptability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from public relations specialists
- Public Relations Managers96% · +97%
- Advertising and Promotions Managers93% · +79%
- Marketing Managers91% · +123%
- Fundraisers90% · −3%
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes89% · +11%
Change into public relations specialists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Fundraisers93% · $72,550
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes92% · $82,890
- Media Programming Directors89% · $90,360
- Talent Directors89% · $90,360
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners88% · $61,160
Majors that lead here
- Communication, General
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
- Public Relations/Image Management
- Political Communication
- Health Communication
- Sports Communication
- International and Intercultural Communication
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
- Business/Corporate Communications, General
- Business/Corporate Communications, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.