Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for media consultants in the United States
Media consultant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected media consultant job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 22,300 new jobs for media consultants are projected over the next decade.
Media consultant salaries have increased 8% for media consultants in the last 5 years.
There are over 35,356 media consultants currently employed in the United States.
There are 28,768 active media consultant job openings in the US.
The average media consultant salary is $53,443.
Are media consultant jobs in demand?
Media consultant job and salary trends over time
Media consultant jobs over time
Media consultant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 35,356 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 34,471 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 34,710 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 33,215 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 31,676 | 0.01% |
Average media consultant salary over time
Media consultant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,443 | $25.69 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $52,030 | $25.01 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $51,052 | $24.54 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $50,456 | $24.26 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $49,367 | $23.73 | +2.2% |
Media consultant jobs by state
Most common states for media consultants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 203 | 23% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 129 | 19% |
| 3 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 616 | 13% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 486 | 12% |
| 5 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 310 | 10% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 65 | 10% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 73 | 8% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 446 | 7% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 90 | 7% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 41 | 7% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 201 | 6% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 65 | 6% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 44 | 6% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 586 | 5% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 267 | 5% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 225 | 5% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 93 | 5% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 63 | 5% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 40 | 5% |
Media Consultant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of media consultant experts
Loyola University New Orleans
Cabrini University
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Cincinnati
University of Indianapolis
Georgia Southwestern State University
Albion College
San Jose State University
University of Texas at Tyler
Marshall University
University of Maine
Maryville University of Saint Louis
University of North Florida
What will help Media Consultants 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.
Jeffrey Ory
President & CEO, il Stratega Marketing & Public Relations, Adjunct ProfessorLoyola University New Orleans
Public Relations, Advertising, And Applied Communication
What will help Media Consultants 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.
Professor Cheryl Pilchik
Marketing at Cabrini U.Cabrini University
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Cheryl Pilchik: Look at all the benefits offered by the company, such as medical, holidays, 401K, etc. Also, consider using the position as a steppingstone in your field to a second job in the near future.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elizabeth Foster Ph.D.: Social media strategy and analytics will continue to boom. There is an adage 'AI won't replace your job- but the person who knows how to use it might'; young professionals would be wise to learn how to engage AI strategically and effectively. Experiential public relations is an area in high demand; students should learn data-driven storytelling as well.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Cassilo: There are so many ways to communicate with an audience through digital platforms. As such, being a communication specialist allows someone to showcase a lot of skills. Clear and effective communication is so vital for any organization. There are many opportunities to enter the field.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
David Cassilo: A communication specialist will see their role vary by organization, but at most places, this individual will help an organization maintain relationships with both the media and the public. Duties are extensive and can include creating press releases, running social media accounts, authoring written content and coordinating events. No day is likely the same for a communication specialist.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Suzanne Boys PhD., APR: Writing is a perennial skill. Today's Communication graduates will need to learn how to ethically and strategically merge writing skills with the use of generative AI. Hiring managers are also likely to presume that recent Communication graduates are savvy on all social/digital platforms. However, digital/social platforms evolve constantly and professional skills are distinct from personal and recreational skills in this area. For that reason, I recommend new graduates develop social/digital content creation, strategy building, and analytics skills, and that they work to keep these skills current. Reading and responding to emergent and often contested cultural mores is another skill that is important for new graduates. Communication professionals are often at the forefront of cultural engagement, so this is a key skill.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Suzanne Boys PhD., APR: I encourage students to create a portfolio of work samples, including writing, research, and creative pieces. They can use this portfolio to show skills, potential, and the value they will add to a company. I also encourage students to pursue continued education and practical certifications after graduation (e.g., Google and LinkedIn offer free and low cost certifications). Adding those certifications to a resume can show skills, relevance, and work ethic. Joining professional associations (e.g., Public Relations Society of America, American Marketing Association, Together Digital) is also key. Many of those associations offer mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities. Finally, it is important to put yourself forward for opportunities. Employees who take on projects and are unafraid of challenges create leverage for themselves in salary negotiations.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Suzanne Boys PhD., APR: My advice to graduating Communication students is to think outside of the box about ways to build experience. For example, post graduate internships are a great way to gain experience. Another non-traditional post graduate option is to volunteer for local non-profit organizations. Students can use these volunteer experiences to continue building their portfolios and networks, even while they job search. I also advise recent graduates not to pressure themselves to find 'the job.' Their first couple of jobs after graduating will allow them to grow their skills and networks. They can finesse their job search after they have finessed their skills and started to built a career network.
Dr. Stephanie Wideman Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chair of the Department of Communication, Director: UIndy Speech and Debate TeamUniversity of Indianapolis
Communication And Media Studies
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Wideman Ph.D.: For fields like communication, and many others, it is essential that job candidates do not present themselves as too entrenched in a niche. For example, a journalism student is now expected to know how to write a story, stage a shot for broadcast, and be able to promote their work in and out of their respective industries. Industry specific silos are out of date. Now communication professionals and others are expected to be able to reach across discipline-specific divides.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Dr. Stephanie Wideman Ph.D.: Graduates need to be aware of the changing nature of industry as a whole. The expectation used to be you graduate, get a job, and then expect to stay in that position until you retire. That is not the ways of modern day career-making. Now, most graduates can expect to shift jobs for 3-4 years before they find the right fit. This is a good thing! It allows graduates to explore a bit and find where their talents can really shine.
Paul Dahlgren
Associate Dean, Arts and Sciences, Professor of English, Director of Quality Enhancement PlanGeorgia Southwestern State University
English Language And Literature
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Paul Dahlgren: Remember that you are perfectly qualified to do a wide variety of jobs and that you've demonstrated strength in some of the most valuable skills employers need, communication and critical thinking. Especially when you are trying to land that first job, you'll need to work hard to make sure people realize how valuable an asset you can be, but there will likely be pay off down the line. Once you've established yourself, you'll likely find that you are more capable of seeing the big picture of what is happening in your industry than most of your peers, especially those who pursued a narrower field of study. You'll likely understand the perspective of clients, regulators, and other stakeholders especially well and you'll understand ways to meet all of their needs. But the road to getting to that point is a bit complex. Most jobs are challenging in the first few years and adopting to the culture of your workplace can be challenging. Hopefully, you've done some internships or gain other kinds of experience that will lend you perspective on how to go about these things. Work hard, find the right setting for your skills and you'll do well.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Dr. Phillip Arceneaux: It can be a hectic job with responsibilities continually expanding. Some enjoy the challenges and the opportunity to develop new skills, while others may find the pace overwhelming. The variety of industries open to PR professionals allows them to work in sectors they are passionate about, making their work fulfilling.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Phillip Arceneaux: Every company needs to tell its story, making PR essential. New technologies like digital media and AI offer innovative ways to engage. PR professionals play a crucial role in assessing risks, managing crises, and repairing reputations. The diversity of sectors where PR can be applied makes the profession fulfilling and meaningful.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Phillip Arceneaux: On a daily basis, PR practitioners are implementing various earned media strategies to build two-way mutually beneficial relationships with consumers. PR is more about building meaningful, long-term relationships between consumers and a brand by telling meaningful stories and communicating information about the brand. Tasks can range from curating content on social media, pitching stories to journalists, event planning, updating website information, drafting newsletters and press releases, designing graphics, conducting market performance and consumer attitude analysis, and more.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Megan Hill: The best way to maximize your salary potential when starting your career is to have built-in experience through internships and/or other practical experience to illustrate the value you're able to bring to an employer on day one.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Megan Hill: Don't rest on your laurels; this field is highly demanding and undergoing constant change, so be prepared to engage in life-long learning - from your own experiences, peers, mentors, professional organizations, etc. - and don't lose sight of what's at the heart of public relations work - building relationships with people.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Dr. Mathew Cabot APR: PR offers the satisfaction of seeing tangible results from one's efforts, whether it's securing positive media coverage, managing a successful campaign, or effectively navigating a crisis. PR professionals appreciate the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on their organization's reputation and success. Conversely, PR often involves long hours and tight deadlines, particularly when coordinating events, responding to media inquiries, or managing crisis situations. Practitioners may find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance amidst the demands of the job.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mathew Cabot APR: Public relations offers a dynamic, fulfilling, and rewarding career path for individuals who are passionate about communication, storytelling, relationship-building, and making a positive impact in today's interconnected world.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Lorri Allen: To prepare to get a good first job, use each summer before graduation to secure an internship. Also, work with the campus student media outlet. Most offer all kinds of hands-on experience from broadcasting and event planning to public relations, sales and magazine production. Then, don't settle for the first offer that comes along - unless budget requires it. When starting out, aim for a job that's exciting, challenging, and one that offers mentorship, opportunity for growth and enough pay to cover expenses. Don't be afraid to live at home or get a roommate. It's not always how much money you make, but how much money you save. That said, a candidate with three or four internships is more experienced than those who haven't worked in the field and is qualified to negotiate for a higher salary.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lorri Allen: In the next few years, Communication employees will need to know how to ethically use AI to work smarter and more efficiently. They will also need to know how to be utility players. That means Comm grads need to collect and perfect as many skills as possible: content creation, graphic design, website building, social media analytics, audio and video recording and editing, copyediting, etc. Another skill that will make Communication employees stand out is nothing new, but it's been disappearing. The ability to write elegantly - no grammar, punctuation or usage mistakes - may not impress those who don't notice, but those who can write well will be understood. Long, unclear messages cause confusion and cost time and money.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Kara Alaimo PhD: I strongly recommend that students consider jobs managing social media accounts on behalf of people and organizations. There's a lot of demand among employers to hire people for these positions right now, and a lot of my students are thrilled to discover that they can make a good living creating social media content - which many of them consider to be more like fun than work. This is why at Fairleigh Dickinson University we just created new academic programs in social media to give students the skills and credentials to go after these kinds of exciting jobs with significant labor market demand that often have particularly attractive starting salaries.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
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.
Dr. Ellen Taylor she/her
Professor of EnglishUniversity of Maine
English Language And Literature
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
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.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
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.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Dustin York: PR is dynamic, fast-paced, and a field in which you can make a real impact. But it's also stressful, with unpredictable hours and behind-the-scenes work that is not so Instagram-worthy.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
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.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Christiane Farnan Ph.D.: We are hearing from employers in a variety of industries how important career readiness skills are in the hiring of qualified candidates. Three of the most important career readiness skills are proactive self-development, teamwork, critical thinking, and communication. English majors are aware of their strengths and weaknesses, aptly navigate career opportunities, appreciate diverse viewpoints in collaborative relationships, practice logical and analytical decision-making, and are strong writers and effective communicators.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christiane Farnan Ph.D.: First, I would advise English majors to remember that "major" does not necessarily dictate "career." Many Siena alumni succeed in careers that are not considered typical for an English major - and these careers are not considered typical due to broad public misconception about what one can "do" with a degree in English. English majors enter the fields of business, technology, entertainment, higher education, medicine, law, public relations, teaching, and journalism. English majors have served as CEOs of XEROX, NBC, AVON, and Walt Disney. Vital government positions, including United States Senator and Secretary of the Treasury, have been filled with English majors. Second, I advise English majors to clearly articulate how their skills match the objectives of their employer. English majors are skilled in discerning the characteristics of their work environment, building and maintaining collaborative partnerships, identifying, analyzing, and responding to organizational needs, and leading teams to achieve workplace goals.
What general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
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.
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Brandi Denison Ph.D.: I recommend that students seek out volunteer opportunities and get involved on campus in some capacity. Students who have demonstrated leadership through extracurricular activities, in addition to their excellent academic record, tend to have more opportunities after graduation. I also recommend that graduates network with a wide range of people while they are in school.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
Dr. Brandi Denison Ph.D.: As AI applications increase, the ability to interact with diverse populations, think critically, and shift through large amounts of information will be crucial to many careers. The critical thinking skills and communication skills developed in a religious studies degree program will remain relevant as a variety of fields adjust to new technologies.
Dr. Leslie Rasmussen
Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Media Consultant?
Dr. Leslie Rasmussen: PR is not monotonous; it's generally fast-paced and can be very fun and exciting. There's a lot of creativity that goes into PR, and for the right person, it can very rewarding. Others may not enjoy the fast-paced, ever-changing landscape
What Media Consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Leslie Rasmussen: Public relations focuses on building relationships between organizations and audiences. Nowadays, audiences are inundated with options, and we must focus on connection, building community, and making people feel something. We get to think outside of the box and build strategy to make those connections for a variety of reasons and industries. Organizations, big and small, use PR to cut through the clutter and set themselves apart from the competition. The need spans across industries and organization size, so it's a perfect time to enter PR and find your fit.
What will help Media Consultants increase their earning potential?
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.