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Job outlook for chief communications officers in the United States
Chief communications officer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected chief communications officer job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 6,300 new jobs for chief communications officers are projected over the next decade.
Chief communications officer salaries have increased 14% for chief communications officers in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,071 chief communications officers currently employed in the United States.
There are 80,711 active chief communications officer job openings in the US.
The average chief communications officer salary is $115,086.
Are chief communications officer jobs in demand?
Chief communications officer job and salary trends over time
Chief communications officer jobs over time
Chief communications officer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,071 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,883 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,694 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,042 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,541 | 0.00% |
Average chief communications officer salary over time
Chief communications officer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $115,086 | $55.33 | +4.1% |
| 2025 | $110,581 | $53.16 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $108,333 | $52.08 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $105,011 | $50.49 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $101,274 | $48.69 | +3.1% |
Chief communications officer jobs by state
Most common states for chief communications officers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 449 | 65% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,832 | 27% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 187 | 25% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 155 | 25% |
| 5 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 417 | 24% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,922 | 23% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,260 | 23% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 218 | 21% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,236 | 20% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 252 | 19% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 164 | 19% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,012 | 18% |
| 13 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 559 | 18% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 338 | 18% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 233 | 17% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,619 | 16% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,164 | 16% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 158 | 16% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,966 | 15% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,079 | 15% |
Most common cities for chief communications officers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | 1 | 1% | $93,778 |
| 2 | Columbus | 1 | 0% | $96,715 |
| 3 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $97,825 |
| 4 | New York | 1 | 0% | $135,231 |
Chief Communications Officer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chief communications officer experts
Penn State University, Brandywine
Indiana University Northwest
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Schreyer and Cooper Honors ProgramsPenn State University, Brandywine
Communications Department
What skills stand out on Chief Communications Officer resumes?
Hans Schmidt Ph.D.: It is important to have a wide range of communication skills -from effectively participating in and leading meetings to write in style appropriate for the setting to media productions skills. When people move into the "manager" role, of course, this entails having developed a broad awareness of the culture at that particular organization and the skills needed to lead a group of people. So, really, skills related to communication touch on a wide range of job functions and responsibilities.
Dorothy Ige Campbell
Professor of Communication Emeritus, Founder & Former ChairIndiana University Northwest
Department of Communication
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Chief Communications Officers?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: A bachelor's degree in Communication is considered ideal for non-academic jobs. For undergraduate degrees, a Communication degree paired with a Minor (such as Business) can be ideal, and that has not changed. Those who wish to teach Communication in secondary schools often complete a four-year degree with a major in Education which stresses teaching methods and childhood development, with an emphasis in Communication. Courses in Drama and English also help secondary teacher preparation in Communication.
For graduate education and academic faculty positions in higher education, a Masters in Communication or a related field for part-time teaching for Junior College teaching of Communication courses is usually required. A Ph. D. is usually required for tenure-track, full-time faculty positions in Communication. Courses in statistical research, theory, then specialty Communication courses (such as Health, Religious or Strategic Communication, and so on) are usually required. At all levels, there is an increased emphasis on diversity in the curriculum.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Chief Communications Officers?
Dr. Derek Johnson Ph.D.: Departments like ours are aware of the added challenges created by the pandemic and we've been taking steps to help our students find opportunities while also helping employers to overcome the challenges of continuing to provide needed experience. Given the uncertainty around in-person work, we've been trying to generate online internships that allow students to connect with employers in safer ways. At the same time as we address the current crisis, we are also working to address long-standing barriers to access that have limited work opportunities based on social status, geography, the ability to support one's self, and more. Virtual internships can help with that, but there's more work to do to make sure everyone has equal opportunity to succeed and to manage the crises we face.