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Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Public Relations Specialists

Median pay

$69,780
Median annual pay for Public Relations Specialists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

4.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

27,600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

315,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Public Relations Specialists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+15,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Public Relations Specialists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Writing
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Communications and Media
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Customer and Personal Service
  5. 5Sales and Marketing
  6. 6Computers and Electronics

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Speech Clarity
  4. 4Speech Recognition
  5. 5Written Expression
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Artistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Social Orientation
  2. 2Cooperation
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Self-Confidence
  5. 5Innovation
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  2. 2Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  5. 5Developing Objectives and Strategies
  6. 6Thinking Creatively

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4Time Pressure
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
  • Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.

Software and tools

Adobe InDesign · in demandMicrosoft SharePoint · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandAdobe Photoshop · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandWordPress · in demandCanva · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandAdobe Creative Cloud software · in demandHubSpot software · hot technologyHypertext markup language HTML · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.