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Job outlook for senior communications analysts in the United States
Are senior communications analyst jobs in demand?
Senior communications analyst job and salary trends over time
Senior communications analyst jobs over time
Senior communications analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,403 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,414 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,415 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 12,810 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 13,243 | 0.00% |
Average senior communications analyst salary over time
Senior communications analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $91,677 | $44.08 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $88,656 | $42.62 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $86,649 | $41.66 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $83,176 | $39.99 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $80,441 | $38.67 | +1.0% |
Senior communications analyst jobs by state
Most common states for senior communications analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 353 | 51% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 145 | 15% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,043 | 12% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 700 | 12% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 81 | 11% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 71 | 11% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 719 | 10% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 75 | 10% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 56 | 10% |
| 10 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 82 | 9% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 444 | 8% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 105 | 8% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 81 | 8% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 491 | 7% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 384 | 7% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 215 | 7% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 121 | 7% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 104 | 7% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 88 | 7% |
Most common cities for senior communications analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin | 1 | 2% | $127,332 |
| 2 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $100,957 |
| 3 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $98,576 |
Senior Communications Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior communications analyst experts
Macalester College
Belmont University
Arkansas State University
Kansas State University
St. Francis College
Andrews University
University of North Carolina at Asheville
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Michael Griffin Ph.D.
Associate Professor (NTT)Macalester College
Departments of Media & Cultural Studies and International Studies
What skills stand out on Senior Communications Analyst resumes?
Michael Griffin Ph.D.: Probably on-the-job writing experience--a portfolio of written work in strategic communications.
What soft skills should all Senior Communications Analysts possess?
Michael Griffin Ph.D.: High levels of general reading and writing proficiency. Critical thinking and analytic abilities.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Communications Analysts?
Michael Griffin Ph.D.: My experience is that technical skills can be learned most quickly and easily in short-duration training courses and on the job. General reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, on the other hand, require many years of quality education and cannot be quickly or easily remediated. Good writing is not usually the product of technical writing skills.
What skills will help Senior Communications Analysts earn the most?
Michael Griffin Ph.D.: I have read several articles recently discussing the fact that there seems to be an inverse relationship between social compassion and empathy and earnings.
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.
Department Chair, Associate Professor of Public RelationsBelmont University
Department of Public Relations
What skills stand out on Senior Communications Analyst resumes?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: The strategic communication field is broad and deep-just like the career opportunities for aspiring professionals in the field. Work in this area involves internal and external communication in every industry you can imagine. Behind every organization or brand, you'll find individuals who are managing strategic communication.
The basic skills for entry-level communication practitioners haven't changed much over the years. Writing, design, and content creation are essential. What has changed are the channels we use to communicate. In addition to the basic skills, new practitioners must understand the places and platforms to communicate with their target audience. And we don't have to rely only on face-to-face and traditional media like newspapers, magazines, radio, and television to get our messages out. Social media have empowered the consumer to become engaged creators and influencers. And that's changed the playbook for communication professionals.
It's important to show your proficiency with basic communication skills and traditional and social media platforms. Even better, if your resume can showcase your real-world experience and the results you've achieved, you are sure to stand out from the crowd and get past the initial screening of applicants.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Communications Analysts?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: Communicating in writing and in oral presentations is a basic skill, but doing so concisely in a manner that captivates and compels your audience is something to work on mastering. It's also important to be able to write with style. Associated Press (AP) style is an industry-standard for communication professionals. However, it's critical to learn and apply the ideal style of the communication channel you're using.
Aspiring communication professionals must be able to use applications for word processing, create presentations, organize data, communicate digitally (e.g., email), and manage tasks and projects. You can do a lot of simple tasks using web-based apps, and that's what many students have used through school. However, you'll stand out if you're a superuser who really knows how to work applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. These applications are powerhouses-if you know how to use them. If you can work magic with them and do it efficiently, you're already ahead of the game, and it will make your life so much easier. Of course, other specialized applications may be required by your organization or your position, e.g., design, photography, audio, and video editing software. Be prepared to learn the ones you need. There is plenty of online tutorials that are free or inexpensive.
Another way to set yourself apart is by earning and showcasing you are invested in your own professional development. There are increasing numbers of industry-recognized courses and exams to earn certificates showing your competencies in the profession. For example, seniors or recent graduates could earn the Principles of Public Relations Certificate offered by the Universal Accreditation Board, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and its student organization, PRSSA. Google, HubSpot, and Muck Rack are among industry service providers who have developed training programs where students can earn certificates to make them marketable.
What skills will help Senior Communications Analysts earn the most?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: In addition to the hard and soft skills that can get strategic communication professionals a job, some highly valued skills may help them maximize their earning potential. Being comfortable and competent working with data is in high demand these days. Analytics has become increasingly important to show communication's value to the organization and give communication leaders critical insights to shape strategic decision-making for every department.
Further, a communication professional is likely to advance and earn more if they understand how businesses work. Business literacy is a constant reminder that strategic communication practices must be integrated and supportive of the entire organizational operation.
What soft skills should all Senior Communications Analysts possess?
Kevin Trowbridge Ph.D.: It's hard to showcase soft skills on a traditional resume-but it's not impossible, and there are alternative ways of doing it. In addition to doing the job, employers want someone likable-someone they will enjoy working with. It's also important to be motivated and self-directed and to be able to prioritize and manage one's time. Asking good questions is a good thing, but it's critical to remember that the quality of our questions reflects the quality of our thinking. If you can find the answer to your question with some simple research, do it. This shows that you are a resourceful learner. Of course, being creative and thinking strategically are also soft skills that aspiring communication professionals need. Other soft skills that have come in demand over the past year or so are adaptability and perseverance. You want to show these soft skills-don't just tell a prospective employer that you have them. Show them through examples and stories. That's hard to do on a resume. You can do it with a short video on your online portfolio, personal website, or LinkedIn profile.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Communications Analysts?
Dr. Sarah Mayberry Scott Ph.D.: In my area of Communication, strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills are imperative. Courses like Oral Communication and Interpersonal Communication help equip students with the practical communication tools needed in almost any career. Oral Communication, additionally, helps to teach students how to find credible source material to advance a logical, well-researched argument - a skill crucial to help fighting misinformation and for promoting critical thinking. Classes like Argumentation and Persuasion can help for students who want to pursue careers in law or sales.
Courses in Strategic Communication use public relations, social media, and advertising to establish relationships with stakeholders and craft effective messages. A certificate in Social Media Management could help students wanting to learn how to craft, and measure, social media content that helps to meet organizational goals.
What will help Senior Communications Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sarah Mayberry Scott Ph.D.: Communication skills are often viewed as "soft skills," and for that reason they are often overlooked by students. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "I communicate every day, why would I need a class in that?" But these so-called soft-skills - interpersonal communication, teamwork, listening, presenting information - are called skills for a reason. The ability to communicate effectively, concisely, appropriately across multiple contexts, for a variety of occasions is not innate. The good news is that these skills can be taught! These oft-neglected skills are some of the first things potential employers look for in hiring new people. Taking courses that help you find, present, share, and create well-researched, credible, logical, and organized information are crucial for students wanting to increase not only their chance of getting hired but also their opportunities for promotions.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Communications Analysts?
Dr. Tom Hallaq: The current generation of students want very different things from a job than the traditional employee. Many students are unwilling to take a low-paying job just to "pay their dues" to their chosen career field. Graduates want higher pay and more flexibility than what has been offered in the past. Jobs that pay $40-$50k per year are sought out more than lower paying jobs... and graduates are finding them. Graduates are also finding jobs in larger markets than were available in the past. It is common for these graduates to find jobs in markets that have traditionally been second-job locations, or even in some cases, major markets where an employee may remain for their entire career.
As remote work becomes more commonplace, many graduates no longer find it necessary to head to the "big city" to find successful careers.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Communications Analysts?
Michelle Steven: A good job out of college, in any field of endeavor, is working in a place where your work is valued and respected, as well as having opportunities for growth in your desired career.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Communications Analysts?
Michelle Steven: Yes, there will be an enduring impact on students from the pandemic. Students are used to being social and getting in the full experience of college life and the pandemic has taken that away, hopefully, temporarily.
What technical skills for a Senior Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Michelle Steven: Employers should look for basic office skills and even the skills which are rarely used, such as answering the phone properly.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Communications Analysts?
Everett Wiles: I believe that there will be long-lasting effects of this pandemic that will make life for the 2020/2021 graduates a challenge. For many young people graduation is seen as a fresh start, their launch into adulthood, a time to secure a job and to start making a living in the field that they spent the last four or five years preparing and grueling over. However, the reality is that many of those graduates will not be able to venture out into their fields because the job market has taken a huge hit as a result of the pandemic. This means that graduates will find it difficult to find jobs and to make a living. They will need to be flexible and have an open mind and be willing to venture out into other areas outside of their chosen field.
What's a day at work look like for a Senior Communications Analyst?
Everett Wiles: In the field of journalism a day can be unpredictable, it can range from a very slow day to a day that can be extremely hectic and stressful, it all depends on what is happening around the world or in your community on that given day. One can expect though, that in this time of the pandemic there will be more than likely things to share with the public to help individuals keep a hand on the growing concerns. If the day is slow then one should be open and willing to do things that may not fall in what would be considered a normal day. If it is a hectic day and stressful day they will need to also be open to staying pass the regular normal hours, which means they they will have to be open minded and flexible.
What technical skills for a Senior Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Everett Wiles: The assumption is made that anyone graduating with a degree in journalism and mass communication should automatically be well versed in all things technical, that assumption in my estimation is false. However, having a working knowledge of the technical aspects can and will be an asset. Some of the skills that would be helpful are, being able to operate production equipment such as cameras and audio equipment, know how to compose shots and shoot good video with good sound. It will also be an asset to know how to edit the videos that they would have shot. An employer will more than likely be seeking someone who has as many technical skills as possible to help maximize on the investment that they would have made. If they can't find one that has all the technical requirements they will go with the one who has the most.
Another thing to consider that employers will seek, outside of the technical areas is someone who is teachable, someone who has the right work ethic and attitude. You can always train someone to improve on their technical skills, but it is difficult to change someones poor attitude and work ethic.
What technical skills for a Senior Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Michael Goude: Most mass media outlets expect employees to be able to do it all, writing, editing, photography, video production. Having a broad spectrum of skills is a requirement. Few firms have the luxury to hire someone for just on specialty.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Communications Analysts?
Michael Goude: As a journalist, I must say working for your local newspaper, TV station or news website. It's a fast-paced, demanding job that exposes you to the "real world," requires you to hone your skills daily and gives you the ability to handle deadline pressures and ethical challenges. After a few years of that, you are prepared for success in nearly any job.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Communications Analyst job market given the pandemic?
Michael Goude: More working remotely, obviously. Now that companies have adapted to flex-time and flex-space, they likely will continue to utilize it for an advantage. In my field of print media, more freelance opportunities have been created to work.with media outlets without ever visiting their office.
Dr. Musonda Kapatamoyo Ph.D.
Professor, ChairSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Mass Communications
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Communications Analysts?
Dr. Musonda Kapatamoyo Ph.D.: We are not very sure about that. However, it is possible that those who did not do an internship to graduate may struggle to learn some tasks early on.
What's a day at work look like for a Senior Communications Analyst?
Dr. Musonda Kapatamoyo Ph.D.: If it's post pandemic, they will need to be handheld a bit more with the given tasks until they get used to working with other people. If the pandemic continues, then students are adept at working remotely. They will adjust just fine.
What technical skills for a Senior Communications Analyst stand out to employers?
Dr. Musonda Kapatamoyo Ph.D.: Our students are excellent at Multimedia production (video editing, audio production, web design, and other content production software). There are also good writers for broadcast, online publications, and newspapers. Most are also self-driven.