Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. PayThe median annual wage for public relations specialists was $74,750 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 23,000 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public relations specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public relations specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for public relations specialists was $74,750 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 23,000 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public relations specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public relations specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 23,000 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public relations specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public relations specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Public relations specialists create and maintain a positive public image for the clients they represent.
Work Environment
Public relations specialists work for a variety of organizations, including schools, media buyers, and professional associations. They usually work in offices, but they also deliver speeches, attend meetings and community activities, and occasionally travel.
How to Become a Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation.
Pay
The median annual wage for public relations specialists was $74,750 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 23,000 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public relations specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public relations specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Public relations specialists work for a variety of organizations, including schools, media buyers, and professional associations. They usually work in offices, but they also deliver speeches, attend meetings and community activities, and occasionally travel.
How to Become a Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation.
Pay
The median annual wage for public relations specialists was $74,750 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 23,000 openings for public relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public relations specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public relations specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for public relations specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of public relations specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about public relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.