Public Relations Managers

People in this career spend their days planning and coordinating activities that shape how the public views their organization or client. They focus heavily on communicating with people outside their organization, building strong interpersonal relationships, and sharing information with internal teams and supervisors. Daily tasks require gathering information, thinking creatively to solve complex problems, and establishing strategic objectives.

To succeed, managers need strong skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and persuasion. They must be socially perceptive to understand public reactions and coordinate team efforts effectively. Key knowledge areas include communications, media, the English language, sales, marketing, and administration. This role belongs to the enterprising interest area, which suits individuals who enjoy leading projects and making decisions. Important work styles for this role include cooperation, leadership orientation, dependability, and stress tolerance to handle fast-paced media environments.

Entering this management field typically requires a bachelor's degree along with several years of related work experience. Students preparing for this career often choose college majors such as communication and media studies, business or corporate communications, or public relations, advertising, and applied communication.

While not always mandatory, professionals can earn industry certifications to demonstrate their expertise and advance their careers. Examples of relevant credentials include the Accreditation in Public Relations, which is offered by the Public Relations Society of America. Another option is the Certified Brand Manager credential, provided by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management.

In 2025, the median annual pay for public relations managers was $146,910. This means half of the workers in this role earned more than this amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $82,410, while the highest 10% earned more than $284,990.

There are 74,850 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 5.7%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth, combined with normal staff turnover, is expected to create about 6,100 job openings each year.