Public Relations Managers Career, Salary and Skills
Public Relations Managers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $146,910 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 74,850. Wage data is published for 230 locations.
Occupation description
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
O*NET code
11-2032.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$146,910
Hourly median
$70.63
Employment
74,850
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.25 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 4.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 3.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Persuasion | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Coordination | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Active Learning | 3.62 | 3.50 |
Typical tasks
- Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff.
- Identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.
- Develop, implement, or maintain crisis communication plans.
- Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet web pages.
- Manage communications budgets.
- Develop and maintain the company's corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
- Facilitate consumer relations or the relationship between parts of the company, such as the managers and employees, or different branch offices.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities.
Technology
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Distiller
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe PageMaker
- Adobe Photoshop
- Airtable
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple iDVD
- Apple iMovie
- Blackbaud eTapestry
Public Relations Managers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Public Relations Managers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $195,190 · Employment 9,470
- Public Relations Managers Salary in CAMedian $167,980 · Employment 9,400
- Public Relations Managers Salary in TXMedian $126,670 · Employment 8,190
- Public Relations Managers Salary in New York, NYMedian $192,360 · Employment 7,940
- Public Relations Managers Salary in NYMedian $180,880 · Employment 7,710
- Public Relations Managers Salary in DCMedian $197,600 · Employment 7,410
- Public Relations Managers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $163,830 · Employment 3,610
- Public Relations Managers Salary in FLMedian $127,550 · Employment 2,990
- Public Relations Managers Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $130,950 · Employment 2,850
- Public Relations Managers Salary in ILMedian $131,990 · Employment 2,770
- Public Relations Managers Salary in VAMedian $176,340 · Employment 2,610
- Public Relations Managers Salary in NJMedian $174,980 · Employment 2,420
Related careers
- Business Intelligence AnalystsNational median $120,230
- Advertising Sales AgentsNational median $64,820
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative AssistantsNational median $76,590
- Human Resources SpecialistsNational median $75,940
- Labor Relations SpecialistsNational median $95,420
- Business Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $99,080
- Media Programming DirectorsNational median $90,360
- Administrative Services ManagersNational median $114,130
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.