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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,474 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,500 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,503 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,421 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,345 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,453 | $17.53 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $35,489 | $17.06 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $34,822 | $16.74 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $34,416 | $16.55 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $33,673 | $16.19 | +2.2% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 185 | 27% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 348 | 5% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 233 | 4% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 200 | 4% |
| 5 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 183 | 4% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 127 | 4% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 48 | 4% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 42 | 4% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 37 | 4% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 29 | 4% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 27 | 4% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 22 | 4% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,033 | 3% |
| 14 | New York | 19,849,399 | 564 | 3% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 405 | 3% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 207 | 3% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 199 | 3% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 181 | 3% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 26 | 3% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 20 | 3% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Batavia | 1 | 4% | $41,891 |
| 2 | Huntley | 1 | 4% | $42,395 |
| 3 | Littleton | 1 | 2% | $36,367 |
| 4 | Bloomington | 1 | 1% | $30,969 |
| 5 | Citrus Heights | 1 | 1% | $43,849 |
| 6 | Hollywood | 1 | 1% | $27,602 |
| 7 | Lawrence | 1 | 1% | $28,479 |
| 8 | Richmond | 1 | 1% | $44,594 |
| 9 | Santa Barbara | 1 | 1% | $41,476 |
| 10 | Springfield | 1 | 1% | $47,762 |
| 11 | Tustin | 1 | 1% | $40,048 |
| 12 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $28,066 |
| 13 | New York | 1 | 0% | $42,438 |
Washington State University
Elmhurst College
University of Detroit Mercy
San Jose State University
University of Texas at Tyler
Marshall University
University of Maine
Maryville University of Saint Louis
University of North Florida
Methodist University
Husson University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Montevallo
Augsburg University
College of New Jersey, The
Pennsylvania State University - Berks
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Washington State University
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
Ms. Chelsea Thomas: Public relations is a unique and dynamic field that allows professionals to execute both strategic and tactical initiatives. This profession allows one to experience a fast-paced industry where creativity, objectivity and strategy meet. No two days are likely the same; one can be filled with socializing at planned events, another working with media to manage external relations, and another spending quality time strategizing with a client representative. With the growing need for an organization to build and maintain a positive relationship with the target audience and stakeholders, public relations is an excellent profession for those skilled in communication and customer relationship management.
Elmhurst College
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
Professor Charlie Goehl: I would give this advise for any field. Be a willing learner. Volunteer for any duties. Listen and learn. Ask questions and get to know others in the business. Networking is very important for a beginner.
Professor Charlie Goehl: The most important skills are communication skills. Oral, non-verbal, listening, and writing skills are very important. Critical thinking and problem-solving are skills that can be worked on.
David Cassilo: Communication specialists tend to like the diversity of their job. Additionally, it allows individuals to be creative. Some people in the job may dislike the unpredictability. While having every day be different can be thrilling, it can lead to unexpected challenges.
Dr. Mathew Cabot APR: A PR practitioner's day-to-day responsibilities can widely vary depending on the practitioner's role, including media relations, social media management, content creation, crisis and reputation management, research and data analytics, and employee communication. Regardless of the specific role, all public relations practitioners help organizations behave and communicate in ways that build trust between the organizations they represent and the stakeholders on whom their success or failure depends. A beginning practitioner could be involved in a variety of tasks, including media monitoring, social media management, research, writing, content creation, and event planning and support.
Lorri Allen: Be ready to work hard, be willing to take feedback and keep learning all you can. Most hiring managers in Communication fields know you're smart - or you wouldn't have a degree. So, they're looking for candidates who are positive and offer solutions, not problems; who work well with others and don't gossip or complain.
Richard Jones Jr.: Make sure to emphasize and lean into your training in the specific communication skills that surveys show are desired by most employers. Most graduates can't point directly to coursework they've taken in interpersonal communication, small group communication, conflict and communication, organizational communication, or persuasive communication, but most Communication Studies majors can. That gives employees with a degree in communication an edge and an advantage.
University of Maine
English Language And Literature
Dr. Ellen Taylor she/her: Critical reading, clear writing, being nimble with technology, and critical thinking are more important than ever. Knowing how to judge accurate information and to refute misinformation has never been more critical.
Dr. Ellen Taylor she/her: I would be more concerned with finding a job that gives some satisfaction, than maximizing earnings. Work with people you enjoy. That's priceless.
Ellen Stockstill Ph.D.: Go ahead and get started prior to graduation. Seek out internships. Get on LinkedIn and network. Connect with alumni and see how they've pursued their careers. English majors can land in a number of industries, so it helps to get a sense of all the options out there.
Ellen Stockstill Ph.D.: Communication skills-especially writing-are already tremendously important and valued. While generative AI tools can help with writing, they are still in their infancy and have serious flaws. Companies still rely on good human communicators and even as AI improves, there will be need for human beings to serve as quality control. Students with degrees in the humanities already have a lot of practice dealing with ambiguity. This skill is very important, and companies need people with this skill to handle their most challenging and pressing personnel issues.
Dr. Dustin York: As customers are becoming more and more reluctant to traditional advertising, PR is breaking through the noise. Businesses crave a good online reputation that attracts loyal customers, so PR skills are in high demand. Plus, it's a blend of writing, creativity, and tech-savviness - a hot commodity these days.
Dr. Dustin York: A PR pro's day is a juggling act of pitching stories to media, crafting content, planning events, and maybe even communicating an issue or crisis, but all their work comes down to some sort of storytelling. Newbies assist senior folks with projects, but some common tasks for entry-level pros include media listening and auditing.
Dr. Brandi Denison Ph.D.: Religious Studies is a flexible degree, and as such, is an entry point into a wide range of career fields. UNF religious studies graduates have gone on to jobs in fields as diverse as non-profit work, education, health, international affairs, and entrepreneurship. Religious Studies degree holders are excellent communicators, flexible thinkers, and unafraid of complex ideas. As such, graduates beginning a career need to be able to communicate the skills gained from their experience clearly to potential employers.
Dr. Leslie Rasmussen: The exciting thing about working in PR is that it's never the same. You might be planning an event, writing news releases, developing social media strategies and content, managing campaigns, or working with the media, depending on the day. PR is also versatile - you can work in the auto industry, healthcare, politics, beauty, sports, entertainment... the possibilities are endless. No matter which path you take, the core skills we utilize in PR are writing, research, public speaking, organization, and creativity. How we use those skills will vary from day-to-day.
Methodist University
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
Sara Erlichman Ph.D.: One of the top advice I see is that you document your successes with KPIs. Keep a Word file in your personal cloud documenting any and all positive feedback from colleagues and hard data that demonstrate successful results. Only you know exactly how you've impacted the company through your work, and no one is going to advocate for you as well as you can for yourself!
Husson University
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
Ms. Nancy Roberts APR, MBA: People appreciate the creativity and variety in tasks that come with being a Communications Specialist. They enjoy the opportunity to shape public perception and tell compelling stories. However, the fast-paced nature of the job and the pressure to always be on top of trends and crises can be challenging for some.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Communication And Media Studies
Marisa Peacock: Everything is public relations. The traditional approach to PR doesn't always apply. Because of the expansive and pervasive nature of how information is shared on and offline, if you're trying to educate, promote or persuade a public, that's public relations. As such, your job title might not reflect it, so when applying for jobs, focus more on the job responsibilities than the job title.
Good public relations specialists are curious. They love learning about how things work, the people who are involved, and about how the public engages - ask questions, attend events, meet the people at your company - this will all make your job easier, because you'll have a more holistic view about the brand, its products, and services.
Marisa Peacock: It's important to figure out how much it costs to keep you alive. Before job hunting, do the math. How much is rent, car, food, etc? Do you need a Starbucks coffee every morning or can you brew your own? Do you need health insurance (recent grads can stay on their parent's insurance until 26 in most cases)? Figure out that number and then add in buffer room so you can have some wiggle room or opportunities to save. That's your base salary. If you go below, you'll have to make concessions - some reasonable, some not. Use cost of living calculators to determine what salaries look like in other places. Remote and hybrid work is still available, so it's important to factor that in, especially if you're going to live in different locations than where you work.
When looking for jobs, don't underestimate your experience. Even if you haven't had PR-related internships, chances are you've demonstrated public relations skills that can translate well. If you worked in retail, for example, that's a lot of customer relations. If you worked front of house at a restaurant, you know how to engage a public. If you worked as a barista, you know how to meet deadlines, work in chaotic situations, and communicate with others.
Look for the skills that make you better at PR and then highlight those experiences on resumes, cover letters, and in interviews. These skills from different experiences may set you apart and make you eligible for more than just entry-level positions.
University of Montevallo
English Language And Literature
Dr. Emma Atwood: Now more than ever, in a fast-paced media landscape, we need people who understand how effective arguments work; who understand how persuasion, logic, and emotion affect audiences; and who can think critically about complex issues and see these issues from multiple perspectives. Training in English, Philosophy, and Communication helps prepare future leaders to pursue truth as they enter this landscape and transform it for the better.
Kevin Faigle: That's tough to answer. But one, try to see what other similar positions are being paid. There are plenty of websites where you can find salary ranges for positions and that may give a good basis for a starting point. Also, be sure to track everything you are good at and build that resume up. Sometimes a HR department will have a salary range in the job posting, and don't be afraid to ask for the higher amount or even negotiate. 100% of the questions you don't ask, the answer is no. If you are confident in your ability and confident in your background, then show that and push for a higher salary level.
Augsburg University
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
M. Elise Marubbio: I would always suggest that students learn about and network in the area that they are interested in--do internships and interviews with organizational leaders they admire to show their interest and commitment to the field. I would also always remind them that their experiences matter and that skills such as communication, focus on detail, love of learning, commitment to bringing their best selves to the table are incredibly important soft skills that potential hiring folks really need and want. I would also challenge them to remember that the first job is a first step in a life-long learning and growing pathway, which means that the skills and knowledge they learn now will be added to and honed as they go along.
College of New Jersey, The
Public Health
Yachao Li: Communication Specialist is an excellent profession to enter now for several reasons. First, the
role offers tremendous versatility, as communication skills are universally valuable across
industries and sectors. Communication specialists can work in various fields such as marketing,
public relations, corporate communication, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and
more. This versatility opens a wide range of career paths and opportunities for growth, allowing
them to explore different areas and find the best fit for their interests and strengths.
In addition, there is a consistently high demand for skilled communication professionals in
today's competitive landscape. Effective communication is essential for organizations to
succeed, as they need to craft compelling messages, manage brand reputation, and engage
audiences across different channels. With the ever-increasing importance of digital platforms and
social media, the need for professionals who can navigate these spaces and deliver clear,
consistent, and impactful communication has never been greater. Communication specialists
possess the skills to help organizations achieve their communication goals, making them an
important asset in the job market.
Finally, the role of a communication specialist is constantly evolving given the rapid changes in
technology and consumer behavior. This dynamic nature of the profession ensures that they will
always have opportunities to learn and grow, adapting to new communication trends and
strategies. Whether it is mastering the art of storytelling, leveraging data-driven insights, or
harnessing the power of emerging platforms, a career as a communication specialist offers a
continuous learning curve that keeps this profession engaged and relevant.
Yachao Li: A communication specialist's day-to-day responsibilities are very diverse and dynamic, which
requires creativity, strategic thinking, and effective communication skills. Their daily tasks also
vary based on their specific role and the organization they work for.
For example, they may spend time researching industry trends, target audience preferences, and
competitor strategies, analyzing data to identify communication opportunities or challenges. In
addition, content creation is also a significant part of their role, involving writing articles, blog
posts, social media updates, press releases, or designing visual content such as infographics or
videos, as well as scripting speeches or presentations for executives. Moreover, communication
specialists often liaise with journalists, bloggers, and other media representatives, pitching
stories, arranging interviews, and managing press releases while maintaining media lists and
building relationships with key contacts.
Social media management is another crucial aspect, where they are responsible for managing
accounts, creating content calendars, engaging with followers, and monitoring conversations
related to their organization or brand. Furthermore, facilitating internal communication within
the organization is also part of their tasks. This includes drafting newsletters, organizing town
hall meetings, or managing intranet platforms to ensure employees are informed about company
updates, policies, and initiatives. During times of crisis or negative publicity, communication
specialists play a crucial role in managing the organization's reputation by developing crisis
communication plans, drafting statements, and coordinating responses across various channels.
Depending on the organization, communication specialists may also be involved in planning and
coordinating events such as product launches, press conferences, or industry conferences, which
include logistics management, promotion, and ensuring smooth execution. They often measure
the effectiveness of their communication efforts through metrics such as website traffic, social
media engagement, or media mentions, compiling reports to assess performance and identify
areas for improvement. Last, staying updated with the latest communication tools, technologies,
and best practices is crucial, which may involve reading industry publications, attending
workshops or webinars, and networking with peers to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Jill Burk Ph.D.: People who like fast paced environments, thinking strategically, connecting with others, and sharing ideas via a variety of mediums and platforms like working as communications specialists. The job is often demanding and requires flexibility and adaptability. These can be stressors for some.
Cem Zeytinoglu Ph.D: Most of our alumni who became very successful after graduation continually recommend communication graduates to engage in meaningful and professional networking. In addition to knowledge, skills, and experience (like internships) obtaining and maintaining social capital is an important aspect of the communication field. For example, being an active member of a professional national organization such as PRSSA or others would be promising. Secondly, having an open mind about evaluating potential job opportunities is also important. This is important for two reasons. One, communication is a multifaceted professional field and there are many opportunities are available in all industries, including for-profit, non-profit, and governmental organizations. Also, communication opportunities can range from marketing and sales to public relations and consumer affairs, from media content to technology and production. Lastly learning from each experience and carrying new knowledge and skillset to the next opportunity is very valuable.