Public Relations Specialist
Public relations specialists create and maintain a positive public image for the clients they represent.
What the job is
- The work
- Public relations specialists create and maintain a positive public image for the clients they represent.
BLS
Public Relations Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Public relations specialists work for a variety of organizations, including schools, media buyers, and professional associations. They usually work in offices, but they also deliver speeches, attend meetings and community activities, and occasionally travel.
BLS
Public Relations Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Strong writers and speakers who like the media, events and explaining an organization to the public.
- Career cluster
- Management & Entrepreneurship
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (public relations specialists).
- Median pay
- $74,750 a year ($35.94 an hour)
BLS
Public Relations Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 314,500
- Typical entry
- Bachelor's degree
- Training after hire
- None
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +2%, which BLS calls "slower than average"
BLS
Public Relations Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +5,700 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation.
BLS
Public Relations Specialists — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- In short
- Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in public relations, another communications field, social science or business. Internships and a portfolio of work help; certification is preferred by some employers but not typically required.
- License
- None
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
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- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
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- MontanaState guide
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- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
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- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
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- Rhode IslandState guide
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- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Public relations specialist: bachelor's degree, a portfolio and internships
See the roadmap
Route 1: Communications degree + portfolio + internship · Route 2: Specialist → public relations manager
More careers in Management & Entrepreneurship
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 20 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.