The median pay for Public Relations Managers is $146,910 a year ($70.63/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.7% through 2035, with about 6,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 11-2032
- Management
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Public Relations Manager in four numbers
- Median pay
- $146,910a year, or $70.63/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $82KTop 10% $285K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.7%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,10080,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202580.8K
- Projected 203585.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 80.8K Projected 2035 85.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Communications Director, Communications Manager, Community Relations Director, PR Director (Public Relations Director), Public Affairs Director.
Pay
How much do Public Relations Managers make?
Every public relations manager in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$146,910
Middle half earn $106,580 to $204,520
- 10th
- $82,410
- 25th
- $106,580
- 75th
- $204,520
- 90th
- $284,990
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $82,410 |
| 25th | $106,580 |
| Median | $146,910 |
| 75th | $204,520 |
| 90th | $284,990 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $146,910
- Median hourly wage
- $70.63/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $164,760
- People employed
- 74,850
Versus all US occupations
At $146,910, Public Relations Managers earn 188% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $95,930 a year.
Versus management occupations
Inside the Management group, where the middle occupation pays $126,060, this is 17% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $284,990 or more while the bottom 10% earn $82,410, a gap of 3.5×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 92% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $197,600, and still leads at $179,798 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Public Relations Managers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $197,600 | $179,798 | 7,410 |
| 2New York | $180,880 | $167,604 | 7,710 |
| 3Virginia | $176,340 | $174,414 | 2,610 |
| 4New Jersey | $174,980 | $160,820 | 2,420 |
| 5Massachusetts | $171,740 | $162,391 | 2,170 |
| 6California | $167,980 | $151,716 | 9,400 |
| 7Maine | $166,940 | $172,014 | N/A |
| 8Colorado | $162,870 | $158,046 | N/A |
| 9Washington | $159,440 | $148,991 | 1,610 |
| 10Rhode Island | $156,080 | $152,601 | 210 |
Job outlook
Is Public Relations Manager a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | +5.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Public Relations Managers to change 5.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 4,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,100 openings are projected each year, 7.5% of the 80,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of public relations and fundraising managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
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.
Organizations continue to emphasize community outreach and customer relations as a way to enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly as social media increases the speed at which news travels. Consequently, public relations managers will be needed to coordinate and help respond to news developments to maintain their organization’s reputation.
Fundraising managers are expected to remain important for organizations, such as colleges and universities, that depend heavily on donations. More nonprofit organizations are focusing on cultivating an online presence and are increasingly using social media for fundraising activities.
Getting in
How to become a Public Relations Manager
Public relations and fundraising managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, and some positions may require a master’s degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Public Relations Manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.
Day-to-day tasks
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities.
- 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.
- 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.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most public relations and fundraising managers work full time, which often includes long workdays. Some managers work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where public relations managers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations36%
- Educational services; state, local, and private33%
- Social assistance7%
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation5%
- Hospitals; state, local, and private4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 36% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 33% |
| Social assistance | 7% |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 5% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking4.3
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.1
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.6
- Monitoring3.5
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Persuasion3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Coordination3.8
- Service Orientation3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Time Management3.6
- Negotiation3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Persuasion | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Coordination | 3.8 |
| Service Orientation | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Negotiation | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Data mining software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Public Relations Manager?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Public Relations Manager |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 7 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising7.0
- Conventional4.4
- Social4.2
- Artistic3.7
- Investigative2.3
- Realistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Public Relations Manager
O*NET related occupations
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Management
- Business and Financial Operations
Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist
$78,760median a year
Most earn $43K to $155K
+7.0%Bachelor's - Business and Financial Operations
- Management
- Management
More management careers
Median annual pay, with public relations managers highlighted
- IT Manager$175,140
- Marketing Manager$166,790
- Financial Manager$166,570
- Human Resources Manager$149,280
- Sales Manager$148,270
- Public Relations Manager$146,910
- Construction Manager$114,990
- Supply Chain Manager$107,230
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager$69,990
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $175,140 |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 |
| Public Relations Manager | $146,910 |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $107,230 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager | $69,990 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within public relations manager
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Public Relations Manager appears on
Questions
Public Relations Manager: frequently asked questions
How much do Public Relations Managers make?
Public Relations Managers earn a median of $146,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 188% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $70.63/hr. The middle half earn between $106,580 and $204,520. The top 10% earn $284,990 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Public Relations Manager?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Public Relations Managers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first.
Is Public Relations Manager a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.7% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Public Relations Manager do?
Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. A core O*NET task: establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities. Employers most often ask for Cloud-based data access and sharing software, Customer relationship management CRM software, Data base management system software.
Which states pay Public Relations Managers the most?
The highest state medians for Public Relations Managers are District of Columbia ($197,600), New York ($180,880), Virginia ($176,340) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Public Relations Manager?
O*NET scores Public Relations Managers highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ENFJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.