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Job outlook for public affairs specialists in the United States
Public affairs specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected public affairs specialist job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 22,300 new jobs for public affairs specialists are projected over the next decade.
Public affairs specialist salaries have increased 8% for public affairs specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,532 public affairs specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 19,889 active public affairs specialist job openings in the US.
The average public affairs specialist salary is $66,383.
Are public affairs specialist jobs in demand?
Public affairs specialist job and salary trends over time
Public affairs specialist jobs over time
Public affairs specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,532 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,567 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,570 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,464 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,365 | 0.00% |
Average public affairs specialist salary over time
Public affairs specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $66,383 | $31.91 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $64,629 | $31.07 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $63,413 | $30.49 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $62,673 | $30.13 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $61,321 | $29.48 | +2.2% |
Public affairs specialist jobs by state
Most common states for public affairs specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 312 | 45% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 98 | 10% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 636 | 9% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 69 | 9% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 54 | 9% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 703 | 8% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 249 | 8% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 53 | 8% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 402 | 7% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 371 | 7% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 223 | 7% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 129 | 7% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 78 | 7% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 70 | 7% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 663 | 6% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 500 | 6% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 425 | 6% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 248 | 6% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 77 | 6% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 42 | 6% |
Most common cities for public affairs specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leavenworth | 2 | 6% | $51,387 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 3 | 5% | $82,246 |
| 3 | Alexandria | 2 | 4% | $51,049 |
| 4 | Key West | 1 | 4% | $42,866 |
| 5 | Washington | 11 | 2% | $98,298 |
| 6 | Jackson | 1 | 2% | $82,848 |
| 7 | Camden | 1 | 1% | $82,537 |
| 8 | Davis | 1 | 1% | $81,711 |
| 9 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $64,704 |
| 10 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $68,467 |
| 11 | Arlington | 1 | 0% | $93,926 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $82,708 |
| 13 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $66,197 |
| 14 | Columbus | 1 | 0% | $61,974 |
| 15 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $59,631 |
Public Affairs Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of public affairs specialist experts
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Coastal Carolina University
Grand Valley State University
Saint Mary's College
University of San Francisco
University of Connecticut
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Bowie State University
Wartburg College
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
Point Loma Nazarene University
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
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 Public Affairs Specialists 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 Public Affairs Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erica Haugtvedt Ph.D.: Liberal Arts majors are able to enter a wide variety of fields with their skill sets in communication and critical thinking. The advice that I would give to graduates just beginning their careers is to be very observant of whatever workplaces they are entering and figure out what the social dynamics and expectations are, as well as the expectations for what kind of work is valued. Look for what gets rewarded, ask whether what gets rewarded is worthwhile, and think critically about whether there are innovations that are needed that you can (eventually) provide. Figure out what role you need to play, and then figure out what role you want to play and how to get there.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Erica Haugtvedt Ph.D.: You can maximize your salary potential by presenting your previous experience in the best light and keying it to what the jobs you’re applying for want and need, even if you don’t have experience in that exact job before. If you’re able to write a compelling resume, you could land in a better starting position with a higher salary. The other advice I would give is to always negotiate. Even if you only get a little bit more money in salary for asking, all of that adds up over the years!
What Public Affairs Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Holly Sullenger PhD: Soft skills such as communication, active listening, giving and receiving feedback, writing, and presenting well are crucial and will become more important.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Holly Sullenger PhD: Don't bring up salary in the first interview, look for published salary ranges, connect with current employees on LinkedIn, ask about workplace, teams, leadership, and address salary expectations at the end of the second interview or in response to the job offer.
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
Mr. Daniel Routh: More and more companies want to expand their presence on social media, and someone with good video, photography, writing, and spoken communication skills is in demand. Someone who communicates well also has potential for leadership and promotion, especially in HR and PR fields.
What Public Affairs Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mr. Daniel Routh: Most communication specialists enjoy new challenges and projects that require some creativity, interacting with people, and getting a message out. Some communication specialist work is more project based, which can mean late nights before an event or video project deadline.
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
David Painter Ph.D.: Today, a Communication or Public Relations Specialist's day-to-day tasks involve creating, implementing, and managing communication strategies that effectively convey messages to engage, inform, and influence internal and external audiences. These activities may include content creation for social media accounts, websites, newsletters, and press releases; managing and overseeing corporate messaging; and coordinating with marketing teams to promote events, products, services, or causes. Additionally, communication specialists may also handle crisis communications and build relationships with journalists or media outlets to ensure positive coverage. For someone entering the field, these responsibilities require a balance of strong written and oral communication skills, project planning expertise, and relationship-building abilities.
What Public Affairs Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Painter Ph.D.: Many Communication Specialists appreciate the variety in their work as well as their ability to decide which industry they want to promote. From crafting compelling brand narratives for tourist or hospitality organizations to managing digital platforms for financial or legal organizations to strategizing communication plans for sports, fashion, or automotive companies, the possibilities are nearly infinite. Moreover, communication specialists enjoy the creativity, strategic thinking, and collaboration their role demands. However, the job can also be stressful, particularly during crises or when managing conflicting narratives. Long hours and balancing multiple projects can be challenging, but for many, the fast-paced nature and the ability to shape public perception make it worth it.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
David Painter Ph.D.: The communication field continues to rapidly evolve with digital and technological advancements making it a dynamic profession involved in many aspects of our daily lives. Indeed, today’s consumers are the best informed and most empowered in history with online reviews, ratings, and critiques of every imaginable product, service, and experience. In this context, organizations recognize the need for skilled professionals to manage their brand image and convey messages effectively, particularly in today's digital world where public perception can shift quickly. Communication Specialists are crucial in navigating these ever-changing conditions, making it an exciting, rewarding, and in-demand career.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Andrew Wood Ph.D.: Communication Studies, a field that traces its roots back to ancient inquiries into the nature of persuasion, remains in many ways an emerging field. After all, while traditional notions of public speaking emerge from time-testing insights, our field is constantly evolving to address new challenges, modalities, and opportunities. Thus my general advice to anyone entering the field is to avoid relying solely on established career pathways. Yes, there are plenty of jobs in marketing, media production, speech writing, education, management, and the like. But the most effective job-seekers are those who are nimble, flexible, and focused on how they can articulate the value-add of their training to an organization's unique exigences.
What Public Affairs Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Alice Veksler Ph.D., BCPA: Practice your interpersonal skills and think about how what you have learned in your coursework translates to your chosen field of work. Teamwork, conflict resolution, social media savvy, and professionalism can make or break a career. Being able to articulate and demonstrate mastery of these skills with concrete examples during an interview can help land the job and then embodying the skillset of an excellent communicator will lead to professional success. Networking is also key so making sure that you do internships and engage with others in your chosen field helps with securing a job. Forging connections early in one's career can pay massive dividends down the road. We say that 'you get jobs by talking to people' and this maxim is especially true for a broad field like communication studies. Finally, I always encourage a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and maximize productivity.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Alice Veksler Ph.D., BCPA: The single most important thing you can do is learn effective negotiation skills so that you negotiate a good salary and benefits package. Starting salaries will often set the baseline for future earning potential so being able to ensure that you are paid your worth early on is very important. New hires are often hesitant to negotiate salary to their detriment. Effective salary negotiation requires knowing how to do some basic market research to know what is reasonable and requires an understanding of the basics of principled negotiation. For example, it is important to know about positions vs. interests and what a BATNA/WATNA are. Beyond that, you need to stay proactive to ensure you are getting regular salary increases commensurate with norms in the field. Those increases are largely contingent on performance so excelling at the job then becomes the key to ongoing financial success. Making yourself an indispensable and irreplaceable asset to the employer is also very important.
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
Yao Sun: The world has never been so eager for enhanced communication. Individuals, parties, organizations, etc. all need conversations and dialogues to improve the understanding toward each other as well as toward the new challenges that we are facing. Being a Communication Specialist can play an important role in this regard.
Wendy Weinhold Ph.D.
Associate Professor of JournalismCoastal Carolina University
Communication And Media Studies
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Wendy Weinhold Ph.D.: Communication is a major that offers you tremendous flexibility as you start your career, so use that to your advantage. Apply for jobs that interest you and build your portfolio. Your first job is highly unlikely to be your final job, so seek a job that will help you gain skills and prepare you for what’s next.
What Public Affairs Specialist 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 Public Affairs Specialists 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 Public Affairs Specialist?
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 general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
Tika Lamsal PhD: Since communication graduates approach the workplaces equipped with effective interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, they can vouch for aspirational positions that become both professionally competitive and individually fulfilling.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists 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.
What Public Affairs Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tianxu Chen: I have completed the questions and attached them to this email.
Sheryl McMillan
Senior Research and Outreach Development OfficerTexas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
Sheryl McMillan: We would like to please review your article prior to publication.
What Public Affairs Specialist 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.
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
Dr. Penni Pier: There are a few things I would tell them. Make sure you make the most of your opportunities to network and learn the things about the industry that you do not know. Be mindful that professional development is a lifelong endeavor and that the first year will be a steep learning curve as you are an emerging professional. Take the initiative to learn or practice skill sets that you haven’t quite mastered. Ask for constructive feedback and then incorporate that feedback into your work. Two very practical pieces of advice that I try to tell my students: 1. Never surprise your boss. Keep them in the loop. If you make a mistake own up to it quickly and ask for feedback regarding how to avoid the mistake in the future and 2. Do not overpromise and under deliver. It is instinctual to want to please your supervisor and not let them down, but you must understand your own capacity, under delivering is ultimately more disappointing than understanding and setting your limits at the outset.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Dr. Penni Pier: I wholeheartedly believe the same skills that have been important over the past 50. You need to be a good storyteller, a good writer, and a good researcher. Technology will change, the mediums will change, but the skills of being able to research, use your resources and tell a compelling story that touches the heart of your consumer or target audience remains constant.
What general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
Dr. Nick DiFrancesco: Communication- many grads lack even basic communication skills such as presenting, writing, or conversation; the industry is going to be seeking out not just the best and brightest, individuals who are personable, can relate and have rational discussions with others. The inability to engage in conversation and debate, or network with others is a serious issue among students, and these are skills that are absolutely vital to any professional.
What will help Public Affairs Specialists 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 general advice would you give to a Public Affairs Specialist?
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 will help Public Affairs Specialists increase their earning potential?
Margarita Pintado Burgos Ph.D.: A degree in Romance Languages, Literature and Linguistics equips you with plenty of tools to succeed in a variety of job opportunities. Thus, a general advice for recent graduates starting their careers, would be to remain open and to exploit as much as possible their skills, knowing that multilingualism, cross-cultural communication, reading and thinking critically, writing effectively, etc. are in high demand, especially considering the general decline of such skills in today's society.