Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Keen competition for jobs is expected. College graduates with related experience, a high level of creativity, strong communication skills, and computer skills should have the best job opportunities. High earnings, substantial travel, and long hours, including evenings and weekends, are common.
On average, Public Relations Specialists earn $ 47,350 per year.
Job Opportunities for Public Relations Specialists are expected to:
Increase faster than average.
An organizations reputation, profitability, and even its continued existence can depend on the degree to which its targeted publics support its goals and policies. Public relations specialistsalso referred to as communications specialists and media specialists, among other titlesserve as advocates for businesses, nonprofit associations, universities, hospitals, and other organizations, and build and maintain positive relationships with the public. As managers recognize the importance of good public relations to the success of their organizations, they increasingly rely on public relations specialists for advice on the strategy and policy of such programs.
Many entry-level public relations specialists have a college degree in public relations, journalism, advertising, or communication. Some firms seek college graduates who have worked in electronic or print journalism. Other employers seek applicants with demonstrated communication skills and training or experience in a field related to the firms businessinformation technology, health care, science, engineering, sales, or finance, for example.
Public relations specialists held about 243,000 jobs in 2006. They are concentrated in service-providing industries such as advertising and related services; health care and social assistance; educational services; and government. Others work for communications firms, financial institutions, and government agencies.
