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For Educators: Military Resources

Public Relations Specialists

Median Salary
66,750
Job Outlook
+4%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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 sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

46%

Private not for profit

21%

State and local government

17%

Self-employed

9%

Federal Government

7%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 27,100 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$42,000

10%

$66,750

Median

$96,510

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    90%

  • Master's degree

    9%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  • Communication, General
  • Public Relations/Image Management
  • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
  • Sports Communication
  • Political Communication
  • Business/Corporate Communications, General
  • Health Communication
  • International and Intercultural Communication
  • Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication
  • Business/Corporate Communications, Other

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Communications and Media
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • English Language
  • Administrative

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Responsibility

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.