How To Become A Publications Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a publications coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Molly Yanity Ph.D.

Publications coordinators are tasked with creating and distributing publications for colleges, universities, businesses, and other organizations. They perform the duties of both marketing specialists and layout designers. They maintain the policies and mechanisms for paper proposal and manuscript submission. Besides that, they oversee the production of various types of print and online materials. This includes brochures, newsletters, and reports. Furthermore, they perform a submission queue and database and organize review sessions. Additionally, they perform an administrative review of manuscripts. Also, they perform regular literature searches and maintain a current publications list.

For this role, requirements vary by employer. However, most employers require at least a bachelor's degree and some work experience in a related field. Applicants must possess interpersonal, communication, attention to detail, multitasking, and organization skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Publication coordinators make an average gross salary of $47,869. This varies between $34,000 and $68,000.

What general advice would you give to a publications coordinator?

Molly Yanity Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Journalism Chair of Journalism, Quinnipiac University

Getting a journalism job out of college is always tough and, here we are, in the middle of a global pandemic with historic unemployment, so it's going to be even tougher. That said, I have already had students, who graduated in May, hired for jobs in the field. But, my general advice here is to be realistic about your situation and move accordingly. Let's say you have to start making your student loan payments. You likely aren't going to be able to supplement an entry-level position with a serving job right now, so maybe you have to take the responsibility in education, or marketing. That's OK. If that is the practical route you have to go, do it, but keep your journalism contacts fresh. Keep looking for great story ideas and pursue them on a freelance basis. You are too young, at this point, to make a career mistake that is going to derail you. I had a recent grad interview for a writing gig in NYC in March. She got a call that the publication froze hiring. She just accepted a job in her hometown school district and is working part-time in retail. It's temporary... and temporary is fine while the entire country has its finger on the pause button.

ScorePublications CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,593

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 5.28%

Black or African American 9.97%

Hispanic or Latino 11.87%

Unknown 5.08%

White 67.21%

Gender

female 70.58%

male 29.42%

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

Key steps to become a publications coordinator

Explore publications coordinator education requirements

Most common publications coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

78.5 %

Master's

9.5 %

Associate

7.1 %

Start to develop specific publications coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Press Releases	11.83%
PowerPoint	11.06%
Web Content	10.16%
Public Affairs	5.87%
Graphic Design	4.77%

Complete relevant publications coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New publications coordinators 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 publications coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real publications coordinator resumes.

Research publications coordinator duties and responsibilities

Develop and manage all aspects of publicity for one of NYC's oldest museums.
Manage all copywriting elements for live broadcasts and promotional commercials.
Keep staff update on current events and updates PPNC's Facebook page.
Produce event PowerPoint presentations and loops.

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