What Do Public Relations Specialist Do?
Occupation Description Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Daily Life Of a PR Specialist
- Update and maintain content posted on the Web.
- Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders’ reports, for internal or external audiences.
- Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- Plan or conduct market or public opinion research to test products or determine potential for product success, communicating results to client or management.
- Develop plans or materials to communicate activities undertaken by organizations that are beneficial to the environment, public safety, or other important social issues.
- 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.
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PR Specialist Skills
When polled, Public Relations Specialists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Public Relations Specialist
- Account Executive
- Communications Director
- Political Advisor
- Account Supervisor
- Marketing Communications Specialist
PR Specialist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 259,600 jobs in the United States for Public Relations Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,000 new jobs for Public Relations Specialist by 2026. There will be an estimated 28,200 positions for PR Specialist per year.
The states with the most job growth for PR Specialist are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, West Virginia, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a PR Specialist
The average yearly salary of a PR Specialist ranges between $33,690 and $112,310.
Public Relations Specialists who work in District of Columbia, Virginia, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Public Relations Specialists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,890 |
| Alaska | $70,070 |
| Arizona | $62,500 |
| Arkansas | $60,470 |
| California | $72,910 |
| Colorado | $66,510 |
| Connecticut | $73,600 |
| Delaware | $60,390 |
| District of Columbia | $107,490 |
| Florida | $60,920 |
| Georgia | $62,070 |
| Hawaii | $64,830 |
| Idaho | $64,380 |
| Illinois | $66,220 |
| Indiana | $53,870 |
| Iowa | $56,880 |
| Kansas | $56,170 |
| Kentucky | $50,580 |
| Louisiana | $53,390 |
| Maine | $57,510 |
| Maryland | $71,030 |
| Massachusetts | $68,610 |
| Michigan | $61,760 |
| Minnesota | $61,540 |
| Mississippi | $52,840 |
| Missouri | $59,940 |
| Montana | $56,720 |
| Nebraska | $51,300 |
| Nevada | $62,550 |
| New Hampshire | $59,970 |
| New Jersey | $75,670 |
| New Mexico | $58,350 |
| New York | $74,000 |
| North Carolina | $64,450 |
| North Dakota | $62,260 |
| Ohio | $62,740 |
| Oklahoma | $51,060 |
| Oregon | $66,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,510 |
| Rhode Island | $67,480 |
| South Carolina | $54,860 |
| South Dakota | $51,240 |
| Tennessee | $64,170 |
| Texas | $60,600 |
| Utah | $64,180 |
| Vermont | $58,200 |
| Virginia | $78,410 |
| Washington | $72,510 |
| West Virginia | $62,310 |
| Wisconsin | $61,060 |
| Wyoming | $58,430 |
What Tools & Technology do Public Relations Specialists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Public Relations Specialists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Project
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
Becoming a PR Specialist
What education is needed to be a Public Relations Specialist?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Public Relations Specialists Work
Public Relations Specialists work in the following industries:
Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Public Relations Specialist may also be interested in:
- Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Clergy
- Medical and Health Services Managers
Career changers with experience as a Public Relations Specialist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
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