Public Relations Managers
Also called: BD Director (Business Development Director), Campaign Manager, Communications Director, Communications Manager, Community Engagement Specialist, Community Manager, Community Outreach Coordinator, Community Relations Director
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
What public relations managers do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Observe and report on social, economic, and political trends that might affect employers.
- Draft speeches for company executives and arrange interviews and other forms of contact for them.
- Formulate policies and procedures related to public information programs, working with public relations executives.
- Direct activities of external agencies, establishments, or departments that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Public Relations Managers salary
The median annual wage for public relations managers is $146,910 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $82,410 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $284,990. The mean annual wage is $164,760.
The mean hourly wage of $79.00 is 10.9× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Public Relations Managers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $146,910 → in 3 years $158,000 → in 5 years $165,900 → in 10 years $187,200 (10-year range $161,000–$217,400). The model assumes pay growth of +2.5% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Public Relations Managers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Public Relations Managers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Public Relations Managers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Public Relations Managers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become public relations managers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as public relations managers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.