Post job

What is a community relations specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Mike Bromberg

Community relations representatives build and maintain relationships between organizations and communities by developing programs that benefit the organization and positively impact the community. As a community relations representative, you are the point of contact between the organization and the community. You are responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all community relations programs carried out to achieve the goal of the organization. You are also in charge of creating marketing content to help promote the organization. You will supervise your team to ensure that both the organization's goal and the goal for the community are being met.

As a community relations representative, you should have sound communication skills, writing skills, research skills, public relations, project management, public speaking, event planning, and community organizing skills. You also need a bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, or any related course to qualify for this role. You will earn an average of $41,972 per year

What general advice would you give to a community relations specialist?

Mike BrombergMike Bromberg LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor, East-West University

There are many great careers out there that can be attained as a result of getting a degree in English. One great example is the fact that many companies find that it's a necessity to develop and maintain their social media presence. They look for Communications Coordinators, social media managers, and media directors to make sure their materials, themes, and messages are organized and broadcasted efficiently and appropriately. Some people go on to graduate programs such as law school, as English courses engage heavily with reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
ScoreCommunity Relations SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,344

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.59%

Asian 5.32%

Black or African American 10.20%

Hispanic or Latino 12.08%

Unknown 5.10%

White 66.71%

Gender

female 74.75%

male 25.25%

Age - 40
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40
Stress level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.8

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Community relations specialist career paths

Key steps to become a community relations specialist

  1. Explore community relations specialist education requirements

    Most common community relations specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.1 %

    Master's

    13.4 %

    Associate

    11.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific community relations specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Press Releases8.45%
    Event Planning8.15%
    Community Events7.67%
    PowerPoint6.82%
    Public Speaking6.41%
  3. Complete relevant community relations specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New community relations specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a community relations specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real community relations specialist resumes.
  4. Research community relations specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Own an aspect of social media content managing Facebook, Google+, and LinkedIn pages
    • Grow and manage existing relationships in assign territories with physicians, hospitals, skil nursing and rehabilitation facilities and assist livings.
    • Used marketing pieces to explain complex topics such as Medicaid and VA benefits.
    • Maintain effective communication with all local and county programs that service children from the Medicaid population.
  5. Prepare your community relations specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your community relations specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a community relations specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable community relations specialist resume templates

    Build a professional community relations specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your community relations specialist resume.
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
    Community Relations Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for community relations specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a community relations specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first community relations specialist job

Zippi

Are you a community relations specialist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average community relations specialist salary

The average community relations specialist salary in the United States is $49,344 per year or $24 per hour. Community relations specialist salaries range between $34,000 and $70,000 per year.

Average community relations specialist salary
$49,344 Yearly
$23.72 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do community relations specialists rate their job?

Working as a community relations specialist? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs