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Job outlook for community relations coordinators in the United States
Are community relations coordinator jobs in demand?
Community relations coordinator job and salary trends over time
Community relations coordinator jobs over time
Community relations coordinator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,086 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,110 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,112 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,040 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,972 | 0.00% |
Average community relations coordinator salary over time
Community relations coordinator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $45,632 | $21.94 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $44,426 | $21.36 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $43,591 | $20.96 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $43,082 | $20.71 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $42,152 | $20.27 | +2.2% |
Community relations coordinator jobs by state
Most common states for community relations coordinators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 263 | 38% |
| 2 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 447 | 23% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 209 | 22% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 629 | 20% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 150 | 20% |
| 6 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 550 | 19% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 358 | 17% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 145 | 17% |
| 9 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 468 | 16% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 239 | 14% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 479 | 12% |
| 12 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 555 | 11% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 659 | 10% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 89 | 8% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 53 | 8% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 552 | 7% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 429 | 7% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 297 | 7% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,099 | 6% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 206 | 6% |
Most common cities for community relations coordinators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malden | 3 | 5% | $49,366 |
| 2 | Carbondale | 1 | 4% | $39,820 |
| 3 | Noblesville | 1 | 2% | $40,270 |
| 4 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $38,838 |
| 5 | Champaign | 1 | 1% | $42,120 |
| 6 | Rockford | 1 | 1% | $43,728 |
| 7 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $44,020 |
| 8 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $49,426 |
| 9 | Gilbert | 1 | 0% | $35,444 |
| 10 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $38,929 |
| 11 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $47,410 |
| 12 | Rochester | 1 | 0% | $54,922 |
Community Relations Coordinator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of community relations coordinator experts
Grand Valley State University
Saint Mary's College
University of Kentucky
University of San Francisco
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Bowie State University
University of Florida
Wartburg College
Washington State University
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
Point Loma Nazarene University
Washington State University
San Francisco State University
Stonehill College
University of Houston - Downtown
Loyola University New Orleans
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Kimberly Lauffer: Public relations practitioners work in many different types of organizations, so it's hard to generalize a typical day. However, some activities include clipping (physically or electronically) mentions of their organization and its employees, coordinating interviews between media outlets and experts, identifying good internal stories and writing them, collecting B-roll for video news releases, identifying good external stories and pitching them to media outlets, monitoring social media, heading off or dealing with crises, etc. At the entry level in large academic, corporate, or agency-based organizations, a PR practitioner might have a very specialized role but in small or non-profit organizations, she might be a Jill-of-all-trades. Crucial public relations skills include writing, oral communication, critical thinking, and time management.
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Joy Daggs: I have quite a bit of advice:
1. Get as much experience as an undergraduate as possible. Many programs require internships, but even if they don't, seek opportunities to get experience. Take leadership roles in student organizations. Even if it's not specifically a 'public relations' entitled position, anything where you practice your skills is helpful. Even if you need to work a job in retail or service, those jobs still provide important benefits other than a paycheck. Don't discount your experiences!
2. Don't pass up opportunities to meet professionals. Many schools and departments bring their alumni on campus or do virtual events so that you can meet and chat with professionals. Even if it's not required for class, GO. You never know when a casual conversation may lead to an internship or an important professional connection.
3. Use your LinkedIn profile to your advantage. Make sure you have a professional picture that shows you in your best light. Follow organizations that you want to work for and other professional organizations related to your interests. I know of people getting interviews based off of LinkedIn interactions. Check your other social media accounts to make sure that you are not presenting yourself poorly. Most likely, organizations will Google you or look up your personal social media. There are reports of students losing opportunities because of poor social media choices.
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mikhila Wildey PhD: I think the ability to engage and connect with people will be very important in the field as we shift more and more to a culture that is driven by AI. Although AI can be a useful tool, it likely won’t ever fully replace the value of human interaction and connection. In addition, employers often comment that they want to see employees with strong work ethic, and I think this will continue to be the case in 3-5 years. Having a strong work ethic can separate the people that move forward in their careers to those who remain stagnant.
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mikhila Wildey PhD: My general advice for a graduate beginning their career in the field is to work hard, stay open-minded, and network! Most employees won’t stay in the same position for their entire career, and so I often tell graduates to not get too hung up on the first job needing to be the 'perfect' job for them. Often, the first job will be a place where they learn how to navigate the workplace, learn about their own strengths/weaknesses, and figure out what they like and don’t like. I encourage graduates to use this information to help them make decisions about the next steps in their career. And, if they are working hard and networking with people at their job, then opportunities will often times present themselves or be more available to them as they navigate their future career path.
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Dr. Veronica Hefner: If you're able to know your passion, and your purpose, then find something that fulfills that, even if it means taking a lower paying job at first. For example, if you're really into fitness, get your foot in the door at a company that you respect and work your way up, rather than taking a higher paying job at a place you don't really like doing a job you don't really feel driven to do. Eventually, the passion for your work will motivate you to excel and that will result in achieving financial goals down the road as you are promoted. It's also good to get a master's degree because that will increase your initial salary by exponential amounts, depending on the field. Then, even if you don't land your dream job on the first try, you will have more options for promotion because you've already got the advanced degree in your portfolio.
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Veronica Hefner: Knowing how to brand yourself, both in person and online, is becoming increasingly important. If you're networking at an event, do you have short stories or anecdotes that you can share that help you come across as interesting? A story can tell a listener about your values, work ethics, drive, and competencies much better than you sharing a laundry list of your achievements. The same thing is true when branding yourself online. Another skill is the ability to communicate, even if that sounds simple. Are you able to write a professional email? Can you carry on an intelligent conversation with a potential client? Do you know when to stop talking and actively listen? Are you able to get your message across to diverse audiences? These skills are applicable no matter what job you do.
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Veronica Hefner: I would recommend that a new graduate shows up and does the work to the best of their ability. So much of success is determined by reliability, competency, and effort. Aim to achieve a work/life balance that helps you stay mentally and physically healthy, but realize that means that when you're at work, you need to work. The most successful people are not always the most talented or the most educated, but they are the ones who exert the most effort and ambition. However, when you go home at the end of the day, leave work behind and focus on yourself. Finally, show respect to others. If you disagree with them, or just don't like them, you still need to show respect. Respect diverse people, ideas, perspectives, and consider the experiences you have with people and ideas that are different from your own as a privilege that helps you learn and grow.
Ying Lu Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Kentucky
Hospitality Administration/Management
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ying Lu Ph.D.: Introducing and instructing customers on how to use various tech equipment to have a better consumption experience.
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Tika Lamsal PhD: In the time when students and professionals need to cater to the increasing demands of rapidly growing globalized and digitized workplaces, cross-cultural and multilingual communication skills have become essential for a meaningful and transformative dialogue with one another.
Sheryl McMillan
Senior Research and Outreach Development OfficerTexas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Sheryl McMillan: I am happy to help you. If you could please send me your questions, I will find just the right answers and a faculty quote in plenty of time for your deadline.
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Rochelle Daniel: My general advice to a graduate who transitions into that first professional job in the Communication field is similar to advice I give Communication students for navigating internship workspaces (Communications Internship Handbook: What HBCU Students Need to Know, 2022). Be intentional about learning the organizational or office culture, really listen to find out what is expected of you, be flexible and adaptable when there are changes in workflow, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Dr. Rebecca Frazer
Assistant Professor of Public RelationsUniversity of Florida
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Rebecca Frazer: The ability to harness new technologies without becoming distracted from key goals will drive success in the future of the field. With the explosion of artificial intelligence technologies and the proliferation of new social media platforms in recent years, some practitioners may be struggling to keep up. The most successful practitioners will work to understand new technologies and strategically harness their power, while also staying focused on the fundamental role of public relations: building strong, genuine, mutually-beneficial relationships with key publics.
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Rebecca Frazer: Be eager, flexible, and willing to learn. Entry-level PR positions often involve a broad range of different tasks that may require the employee to quickly teach themselves new skills, software, and applications. Demonstrating an ability to catch on quickly and an eagerness to take on new challenges goes a long way in impressing an employer.
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Penni Pier: You must be confident in the skill sets you have and negotiate for a beginning salary that is commensurate with your skills. A lot of emerging professionals shy away from negotiation (or making the right fit for that matter) because they are afraid of turning down a job. Interviews and the first series of negotiations set the tone for the relationship you will have with your employer. You also must be willing to look in geographic areas and related industries that need your skill sets to make give you the most opportunities to be choosy with your first professional position. While at your first position, it is important to make sure that your portfolio stays current, and they you are continuing to do professional development. Be proactive and learn (or enhance) any skills you find lacking. Work on client interaction and how to be a good collaborator with your colleagues. If you do these things and there is room for advancement with the organization that first hired, you this will give you a “leg up” in terms of salary potential. If there is not opportunity for advancement a first position will give you tangible work experience for your portfolio and an opportunity to practice your skills which in turn will make you more marketable if or when you decide to move on.
Ms. Chelsea Thomas
Scholarly Assistant ProfessorWashington State University
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Ms. Chelsea Thomas: A public relations professional's job is to act as a liaison between the public and the client, helping to communicate effectively based on the client's needs. The goal is to communicate the client's messaging in a way that is consistent and mission-driven through a variety of communication tools and tactics. Communication tactics may include press releases, media collaboration, strategic meetings and media monitoring. Ultimately, the public relations professional is responsible for executing a well-strategized public relations campaign and message in an efficient, effective and timely manner for the benefit of both the public and the client being served. Someone entering the field of public relations, such as an intern, may be responsible for client media monitoring, assisting the executive team in organizing events, press releases and media pitches, and conducting general research on industry competitors, trends and media outlets.
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ms. Chelsea Thomas: Public relations is a good fit for those who enjoy a fast-paced lifestyle with low predictability. That said, a professional in this field will spend significant time building a well-planned, strategic campaign that anticipates potential issues and capitalizes on client successes. A person in this field would do well being organized, strategic, flexible and sociable. A strong writing capacity is a positive aspect as well. Conversely, those in this profession might dislike unpredictable hours, as this industry can sometimes require significant time, attention and dedication to the client's needs.
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Nick DiFrancesco: Be reliable and willing to do different things. You don’t know where your best suited after graduation, but demonstrating that you can be counted on is not easily forgotten by most employers. Similarly, employees who decide to pigeon-hole themselves into a narrow set of tasks are rarely asked to do much beyond that, and can impede the progress in one’s career.
Melvin Gupton PhD
Associate Teaching ProfessorPennsylvania State University - Abington
Business/Corporate Communications
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melvin Gupton PhD: Thank you for reaching out to us regarding expectations for business communication. Though different from what we consider Corporate Communication, I would be glad to answer any questions you have.
Margarita Pintado Burgos Ph.D.
Professor of SpanishPoint Loma Nazarene University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Margarita Pintado Burgos Ph.D.: I think the most important skills have remained the same for a while, and they will continue to be prevalent in the near future. To read well, to synthesize information, to interpret content with a critical eye, to serve as bridge between different groups of peoples and cultures, to create compelling content, to offer diverse perspectives, to discern (for example) between fake news and real news, are some of the skills I think will be prevalent in the next 3-5 years.
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Michelle Galey: PR is a great profession to enter now because of the growing demand for PR professionals, varied career opportunities, growth potential, competitive salary and benefits, and work-life balance and flexibility. Plus, working in PR allows you to be creative and work with so many different software tools and platforms. With the increasing reliance on digital media and online platforms, there is a growing demand for PR professionals who can effectively navigate these channels and stay up to date with current trends and technologies. We live in an era of 24/7 communication and public scrutiny, so organizations need highly skilled PR professionals to manage and mitigate potential crises effectively. Although this is a sad reality, it provides more work for PR professionals!
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michelle Galey: From my experience being a PR practitioner myself and talking to my former PR students, it’s easy to find both rewards and challenges in the PR profession. My former students tell me that they enjoy the variety, creativity, impact, and networking opportunities in the field but that can sometimes come with high pressure, stress, unpredictability, client expectations, and mundane administrative tasks. These tasks can range from data entry to maintaining media lists and contact databases. Despite the challenges, they find the field rewarding and fulfilling, knowing they have an opportunity to grow in their careers and make significant impacts within their organizations and for their clients.
What Community Relations Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Geri Merrigan: Listening, empathy, and perspective-taking remain as important as ever, because change is the only certainty, and globalization connects us to people quite different from ourselves. That means skills for inclusive communication matter – analyzing an audience and crafting messages for diverse stakeholders. Finally, understanding the technology (especially AI) that is most consequential for your industry/sector, for Communication Studies majors, means understanding current events, reading about AI, and evaluating the credibility of what you read.
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Maureen Boyle: Don’t stay in the same job throughout your career. Early on, don’t be afraid to switch jobs after a year or two. With each switch, you will make more money and learn more. If you get a job making more than $100,000 right out of school, great. But don’t expect to earn a top salary with no experience. An employer looking to fill an entry level position will pay an entry level salary. However, don’t stay in that entry level job too long. Always be looking at what you need to know for that next job. Think of each job as you thought of your classes in school. Learn from each position and those around you. Take advantage of every opportunity early on. Learn as many new skills as possible. Don’t make enemies on the job, or engage in gossip because you never know who you will work with at another place. The industry is large but you will be surprised how many people you come across know people you worked with prior as you progress. Be sure to stay on top of changes in whatever are of communications you are in, particularly on the technology end. However, don’t be so focused on technology that you forget you are working with and for people.
Paul Mandell Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Spanish (Applied Linguistics)University of Houston - Downtown
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Paul Mandell Ph.D.: Study after study has shown that the better that individuals entering almost any job market in the U.S. who can hear, speak, understand and read and write in two or more languages stand to be offered higher salaries that individuals who are monolingual. The vast majority of the world population is at least bilingual if not multilingual. Explaining to a potential employer that a candidate can communicate in more than one language is a guaranteed way to increase, sometimes greatly, any salary offer, almost regardless of the field. Those abilities will prove to be true assets in the market place.
Jeffrey Ory
President & CEO, il Stratega Marketing & Public Relations, Adjunct ProfessorLoyola University New Orleans
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
What will help Community Relations Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Ory: Starting a career in public relations can be an exhilarating journey, filled with opportunities to shape perceptions and craft compelling narratives. As you embark on this path, there are a few foundational strategies that can enhance your success in the dynamic field of PR. First and foremost, cultivating a robust network is essential. The heart of public relations lies in forging strong connections. Engage actively with colleagues, journalists, and industry professionals. This can be achieved by attending industry events, participating in relevant organizations, and maintaining a vibrant presence on professional social media platforms like LinkedIn. These relationships will not only provide valuable insights and opportunities but also support your growth in the field. Equally important is honing your communication skills. In public relations, your ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively is paramount. Dedicate time to refining your writing and speaking abilities, ensuring you can deliver clear, concise, and compelling messages tailored to various audiences and media formats. This skill set is your toolkit, enabling you to convey your clients' messages effectively and resonate with your target audience. Staying informed cannot be overlooked. The landscape of public relations is constantly influenced by shifting industry trends, breaking news, and technological advancements. By keeping abreast of these changes, you can better anticipate and meet the needs of your clients and the media, thus solidifying your role as a knowledgeable and indispensable asset. Practical experience is another cornerstone of a successful PR career. Seek out internships or entry-level positions within PR agencies or in-house teams. These opportunities are invaluable for understanding the industry's dynamics from the inside out, providing a real-world context to the theories and strategies learned in academic settings. Lastly, embracing a proactive and creative mindset is crucial. Public relations thrive on innovation and initiative. Be ready to propose new ideas, tackle challenges with creative solutions, and manage crises with agility and poise. Your ability to think outside the box and act decisively in high-pressure situations will set you apart in the fast-paced world of public relations.
Ginger Blackstone Ph.D.
Assoc. ProfessorUniversity of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Journalism
What general advice would you give to a Community Relations Coordinator?
Ginger Blackstone Ph.D.: You’ve got to start somewhere. You may not get the dream job with a dream company and a fat salary but be willing to do a smaller job just to get your foot in the door. My first jobs in TV were unpaid internships. I did three of them. When I did graduate, I took a part-time job answering phones and assisting producers. I had to wait tables to cover rent. I was in that role for several months before I took a full-time job at a smaller TV station in a small town about three hours away. My current boss was impressed with my work, but he didn’t have an opening. When a fellow manager at a nearby station called him asking for recommendations, he put in a good word for me. You never know who the lead for the next job will be. Show up, do your job, do your best, try to make a good impression, watch for opportunities, and don’t burn bridges. Media people move around a lot, and everybody knows everybody. It’s important to earn a good reputation and be reliable. Who you know and who they know matters. One other thing I recommend: finding a mentor. Sometimes this crazy business can throw surprises your way. It helps to have a seasoned individual you trust to bounce off ideas or talk through challenges. It makes all the difference.