USA Career Guide- Public Relations Managers

Education needed to be Public Relations Managers

Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Employers usually want candidates who have studied public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.

In addition, some employers prefer a master’s degree in public relations or journalism.

Certification

The Public Relations Society of America offers a certification program for public relations managers that is based on years of experience and on passing an exam. The Accredited Business Communicator credential is also available from the International Association of Business Communicators.

Training

Public relations specialists typically are trained on the job, either in a formal program or by working closely under more experienced staff members. Training typically lasts between 1 month and 1 year. After gaining experience, public relations specialists write news releases, speeches, and articles for publication or plan and carry out public relations programs.

Pay of Public Relations Managers

The median annual wage of public relations managers was $91,810 in May 2010. The median wage is the point at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $49,720, and the top 10 percent earned more than $166,400.

Job Prospects of Public Relations Managers

Employment of public relations managers and specialists is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow 23 percent during the same period, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

In addition to job growth for other reasons, opportunities should come from the need to replace public relations managers and specialists who retire or leave the occupation.

Competition for entry-level jobs will likely be strong.

Industrial Overview

Public relations specialists held about 258,100 jobs in 2010. Public relations managers held about 61,900 jobs in 2010.

Employment of public relations managers and specialists was concentrated in the following industries in 2010:

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations    22%

Professional, scientific, and technical services    17

Educational services; state, local, and private    13

Health care and social assistance    9

Government    8