All About Public Relations Specialists
Position 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.
Life As a PR Specialist: What Do They Do?
- Coordinate public responses to environmental management incidents or conflicts.
- Purchase advertising space or time as required to promote client’s product or agenda.
- Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.
- Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization’s accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- Prepare or deliver speeches to further public relations objectives.
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Skills Needed to be a PR Specialist
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.
Other PR Specialist Job Titles
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Public Information Specialist
- Publicity Agent
- Consumer Advocate
- Marketing Communications Specialist
PR Specialist Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 259,600 jobs for Public Relations Specialist in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 28,200 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Average Public Relations Specialists Salary
The salary for Public Relations Specialists ranges between about $33,690 and $112,310 a year.
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 do Public Relations Specialists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Public Relations Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How to Become 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:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Public Relations Specialist might also be interested in the following careers:
- Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- Clergy
- Medical and Health Services Managers
Those who work as a Public Relations Specialist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: UNU-WIDER from Helsinki, Finland via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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