How to become public relations specialistseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Marketing & PR Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$74,750

25th–75th pct. $56,260–$100,370

Top pay (est.)

$175,700

Top 10% $135,150

Pay in 5 years

$84,200est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$94,800est.

$81,600–$110,100

Outlook score

45/100

★★☆☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

66%

High

Job growth (10 yr)

+1.8%

23K openings / yr

How to become public relations specialists

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Public Relations Specialists

Key skills

Speaking

4.2

Active Listening

4.1

Critical Thinking

4.1

Persuasion

4.1

Social Perceptiveness

4.1

Coordination

4.0

Judgment and Decision Making

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Communications and Media

6.2

Customer and Personal Service

5.8

Sales and Marketing

5.7

English Language

5.3

Administrative

4.7

Administration and Management

4.4

Personnel and Human Resources

3.9

Computers and Electronics

3.8

What the work involves

Communicating with People Outside the OrganizationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGetting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionSpeech Clarity

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

91%

Master's degree

Training before entry

None / short demo

50%

3–6 months

23%

Up to 1 month

14%

2–4 years

6–12 months

4–10 years

Related work experience

2–4 years

32%

1–2 years

23%

6–12 months

23%

4–6 years

14%

None

6–8 years

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as public relations specialists

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets.	$78,760	58/100	80%
2	Sales Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer.	$148,270	58/100	65%
3	Marketing Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers.	$166,790	64/100	63%
4	Public Relations Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.	$146,910	60/100	71%
5	Fundraising Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.	$125,470	64/100	70%
6	Advertising and Promotions Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.	$133,660	52/100	60%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.