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Job outlook for coordinators of media relations in the United States
Are coordinator of media relations jobs in demand?
Coordinator of media relations job and salary trends over time
Coordinator of media relations jobs over time
Coordinator of media relations job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 194 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 194 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 189 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 185 | 0.00% |
Average coordinator of media relations salary over time
Coordinator of media relations salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $64,460 | $30.99 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $62,757 | $30.17 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $61,577 | $29.60 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $60,858 | $29.26 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $59,545 | $28.63 | +2.2% |
Coordinator of media relations jobs by state
Most common states for coordinators of media relations
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 202 | 29% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 234 | 24% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 173 | 23% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 600 | 21% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 168 | 19% |
| 6 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 366 | 18% |
| 7 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 515 | 17% |
| 8 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 299 | 17% |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 495 | 13% |
| 10 | Vermont | 623,657 | 82 | 13% |
| 11 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 598 | 12% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 120 | 11% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 56 | 10% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 642 | 9% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 123 | 9% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 239 | 8% |
| 17 | Alaska | 739,795 | 59 | 8% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 296 | 7% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 126 | 7% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 78 | 7% |
Coordinator Of Media Relations job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of coordinator of media relations experts
University of North Texas
Seattle University
Seattle University
Oklahoma City University
Northwestern University
Dominican University of California
Pennsylvania State University
SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Newberry College
Brittany McElroy
Senior LecturerUniversity of North Texas
Mayborn School of Journalism
What soft skills should all Coordinators Of Media Relations possess?
Brittany McElroy: As far as soft skills go, they are the same skills they've always been- good networking and communication skills. Understand that while a lot can get done in a digital space, a face-to-face connection (even if that is on zoom) can go a lot farther than an email. Some of our recent grads hate having to pick up the phone and make an actual call. They are much more comfortable with text or email, but they need to push themselves out of their comfort zone to connect with people. While I think younger generations have a lot of new skills and perspectives that can be so valuable to potential employers, those old-fashioned networking skills still go a long way.
What skills stand out on Coordinator Of Media Relations resumes?
Dr. Jiangmeng Helen Liu Ph.D.: When evaluating a resume for an entry-level public relations (PR) position, such as account coordinator, the first thing an agency looks at is writing ability, including an ability to organize information. This tells you the recent graduate's key strategic communication skills are in place. Next would be relevant PR experience (e.g., school projects, internships, volunteering), especially experience with real-world projects. How the graduate describes their experience is another strong demonstration of their essential PR skills (e.g., writing skill, research skill, creativity, leadership, etc.) This is much more persuasive than simply listing a few words under the "Skills" section of their resumes.
While real-world experience is highly important, what most stands out is an ability to identify and effectively communicate specific outcomes from experience. If the candidate can attach some quantifiable measurements to their accomplishments, that would stand out even more. Most college graduates are good at listing their experiences; the few that take the extra step to cite accomplishments go immediately to the top of the list.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Coordinators Of Media Relations?
Dr. Jiangmeng Helen Liu Ph.D.: Communication skills (verbal and written, especially written) are the critical baseline for a successful career in PR. PR is still about communication and content, even in an era of digital media, memes, and emojis.
Social media management ability is also critical, particularly for entry-level PR positions. Most employers recognize Millennials and, even more, Gen Z are true social media natives and rely on younger, junior staff to navigate their social media accounts. It would be particularly impressive if applicants demonstrate their ability to understand and use Google Analytics, social media analytical tools, media aggregators, and monitoring tools.
An ability with media relations, both digital and traditional, is another critical skill simply because most PR clients demand it. As a result, PR agencies prioritize applicant resumes that showcase experience and accomplishment in successfully generating earned media for their clients and organizations. For this reason, internships that provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability with media relations are highly valuable.
Measurement and research skills are vital as well, although many students might neglect them. As a result, knowledge of basic statistics could set a candidate apart from many other PR majors. It is also necessary that students know how to conduct primary research (both qualitative and quantitative) and interpret the results for the clients.
Jim Clune
InstructorSeattle University
Communication Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Coordinators Of Media Relations?
Jim Clune: Communication skills (verbal and written, especially written) are the critical baseline for a successful career in PR. PR is still about communication and content, even in an era of digital media, memes, and emojis.
Social media management ability is also critical, particularly for entry-level PR positions. Most employers recognize Millennials and, even more, Gen Z are true social media natives and rely on younger, junior staff to navigate their social media accounts. It would be particularly impressive if applicants demonstrate their ability to understand and use Google Analytics, social media analytical tools, media aggregators, and monitoring tools.
An ability with media relations, both digital and traditional, is another critical skill simply because most PR clients demand it. As a result, PR agencies prioritize applicant resumes that showcase experience and accomplishment in successfully generating earned media for their clients and organizations. For this reason, internships that provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability with media relations are highly valuable.
Measurement and research skills are vital as well, although many students might neglect them. As a result, knowledge of basic statistics could set a candidate apart from many other PR majors. It is also necessary that students know how to conduct primary research (both qualitative and quantitative) and interpret the results for the clients.
Beth Adele Ph.D.
Director of the Mass Communications Department, Director of Marketing at Lyric TheatreOklahoma City University
Mass Communications Department
What skills stand out on Coordinator Of Media Relations resumes?
Beth Adele Ph.D.: Resumes that go above and beyond the required academic coursework for a degree get a second look. Internship/externship experience is almost a must to prove demonstrated skills in addition to learning. The pandemic has enhanced the need for virtual communication skills (virtual meeting and social media management). Without being able to hold face-to-face events and conferences, understanding and using online platforms is important. Online security and privacy setting knowledge are also valued.
Clarke Caywood
Professor (founder group of IMC and PR in Medill) Joint Doctorate in Business and Journalism - Univ. Wis. MadisonNorthwestern University
Integrated Marketing Communications in Medill School of Journalism, Media and IMC
What hard/technical skills are most important for Coordinators Of Media Relations?
Clarke Caywood: Specific to StratComm and PR that will be used, monitoring and strengthening textual, verbal, and visual commercial database systems linked to the financial market, competitors, and key stakeholders. Experience in "reaching" for data at meetings to contribute at a higher level.
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communications, Coordinator, Online Learning and Development, Chair of the Communications and Media Studies DepartmentDominican University of California
Communication and Media Studies
What hard/technical skills are most important for Coordinators Of Media Relations?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: Video (shooting and editing), audio applications that allow you to produce and edit sound, and social media literacy.
What skills will help Coordinators Of Media Relations earn the most?
Bradley Van Alstyne Ph.D.: The hard skills (audio and video) usually get you the job, but the soft skills allow you to keep it and grow!
Dr. Bu Zhong Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorPennsylvania State University
Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
What skills will help Coordinators Of Media Relations earn the most?
Dr. Bu Zhong Ph.D.: I expect each of the above soft skills to add $3000-$6000 to the annual salary for the first year or two. The number can go higher after a graduate has worked for over 3 years as a communication professional.
Dr. Douglas MacLeod
Associate Professor of Composition and Communication and Chair of Liberal StudiesSUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
Department of Liberal Studies
What type of skills will young Coordinators Of Media Relations need?
Dr. Douglas MacLeod: Although communication skills in high schools and colleges are somehow considered "soft" by some, the fact is the ability to be able to speak effectively, whether orally or through some form of visual media, is never going to go out of style. All graduates, traditional or non-traditional, will need to hone their ability to speak to another person.
And, with what is inevitably going to become a post-COVID world, it seems to be more critical than ever that students take seriously the technologies that are now prevalent and imperative to our ability to connect...Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, even OK, old-fashioned e-mail, we need to build up a better understanding of how these new modes of dialogue can be used in our personal lives and our professional ones.
These are skills that don't come easily, as many seem to believe. Yes, some have a natural ability to converse, and some are very tech-savvy; but most need to be taught those skills, and those students who need to be trained must be open-minded to learn and open-eared to listen.
Jacqui Lowman Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Maine at Presque Isle
College of Arts and Sciences, English, Professional Communication
What Coordinator Of Media Relations skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jacqui Lowman Ph.D.: If people need to take gap years, I would recommend that they continue to work on their communication skills. Read and write/create content for a wide range of audiences. Continue to learn and use technology. Look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership. And work on self-confidence. Volunteering for nonprofits that could use their help would be excellent. Those are great on resumes, will build skills, and the students will feel amazing helping others with their skills.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Coordinators Of Media Relations in the next 3-5 years?
Mandy Butler: I have never been a huge technology person; I still have a flip phone. But I would wager that, through the use of technology, the role of the theatre audience will be redefined somehow. Stage actors have a unique relationship with those who come to view their productions, so I'm hoping that someone comes up with a way to simulate that, at least to a degree.