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Public Relations Manager
O*NET-SOC: 11-2032.00
Marketing
Plans and directs public relations programs to create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization, managing media relations, crisis communications, and brand messaging.
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$130K
Median Salary
+6%
Growing
Bachelor's Degree
Min. Education
Moderate Balance
Work-Life Balance
About This Role
Public relations managers shape how organizations communicate with the public, spending their days writing press releases, managing media relationships, and developing campaigns that build or protect a brand's reputation. They monitor news coverage and social media throughout the day, watching for mentions of their organization and deciding whether emerging stories require a response. Much of their time goes to leading teams of PR specialists, assigning tasks like media outreach, event planning, and content creation, while reviewing analytics to understand which messages reach the intended audiences.
A Day in the Life
8:30 AM
Monitor media coverage
Review news alerts, social media mentions, and industry headlines for anything related to the organization.
9:30 AM
Team strategy meeting
Meet with PR staff to review ongoing campaigns, assign press outreach tasks, and discuss responses to current news.
11:00 AM
Draft press release
Write and edit a press release for an upcoming product launch, coordinating with legal for approval.
12:30 PM
Lunch and media contact
Meet a journalist contact over lunch to discuss potential story angles and maintain the relationship.
1:30 PM
Handle media inquiries
Respond to reporter requests for comments, provide approved quotes, and schedule executive interviews.
3:00 PM
Review campaign performance
Analyze engagement data from recent press coverage and social posts to evaluate what resonated with audiences.
4:30 PM
Plan upcoming press event
Coordinate logistics for a virtual press briefing, including speaker preparation and media invitations.
Tools & Technologies
- Graphics & Design
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Canva
- Flickr
- Office Suites
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Video Editing
- Adobe After Effects
- TikTok
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple iDVD
- Apple iMovie
- Web & Social Media
- Facebook
- WordPress
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- LinkedIn
- Social media sites
- Sales & Marketing
- HubSpot software
- Marketo Marketing Automation
- Google Ads
- MightyScout
- Document Management
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
Salary Details
Salary by State
Public Relations Manager salary by state map
Public Relations Manager salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $186K — Virginia $174K — New York $174K — Massachusetts $170K — New Jersey $170K — Washington $160K — Colorado $157K $92K - $238K California $156K — Delaware $154K $103K - $222K Connecticut $152K — Rhode Island $146K — Maryland $145K — Arkansas $141K — Utah $133K $83K - $204K Vermont $132K $87K - $207K Georgia $132K $84K - $238K New Hampshire $129K $84K - $204K North Carolina $124K — Illinois $123K $70K - $213K Minnesota $121K $30K - $210K Texas $120K $71K - $214K Ohio $120K $65K - $210K Pennsylvania $119K $70K - $232K Maine $119K $79K - $200K Oregon $119K $77K - $185K Kansas $117K $75K - $177K Tennessee $116K $56K - $181K Michigan $115K $77K - $195K Florida $113K $68K - $211K New Mexico $112K $80K - $199K Indiana $110K $68K - $192K Wisconsin $107K $69K - $196K Iowa $106K $66K - $185K Missouri $106K $68K - $196K Hawaii $106K $75K - $230K Arizona $105K $69K - $191K Nevada $105K $66K - $195K Alaska $104K $69K - $187K North Dakota $103K $60K - $154K Kentucky $103K $62K - $173K Montana $102K $72K - $209K Nebraska $102K $60K - $168K South Carolina $99K $63K - $198K Louisiana $97K $66K - $142K Alabama $93K $53K - $184K Idaho $93K $51K - $156K Mississippi $91K $51K - $190K Oklahoma $86K $61K - $148K West Virginia $85K $65K - $170K
Public Relations Manager salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $186K — Virginia $174K — New York $174K — Massachusetts $170K — New Jersey $170K — Washington $160K — Colorado $157K $92K - $238K California $156K — Delaware $154K $103K - $222K Connecticut $152K — Rhode Island $146K — Maryland $145K — Arkansas $141K — Utah $133K $83K - $204K Vermont $132K $87K - $207K Georgia $132K $84K - $238K New Hampshire $129K $84K - $204K North Carolina $124K — Illinois $123K $70K - $213K Minnesota $121K $30K - $210K Texas $120K $71K - $214K Ohio $120K $65K - $210K Pennsylvania $119K $70K - $232K Maine $119K $79K - $200K Oregon $119K $77K - $185K Kansas $117K $75K - $177K Tennessee $116K $56K - $181K Michigan $115K $77K - $195K Florida $113K $68K - $211K New Mexico $112K $80K - $199K Indiana $110K $68K - $192K Wisconsin $107K $69K - $196K Iowa $106K $66K - $185K Missouri $106K $68K - $196K Hawaii $106K $75K - $230K Arizona $105K $69K - $191K Nevada $105K $66K - $195K Alaska $104K $69K - $187K North Dakota $103K $60K - $154K Kentucky $103K $62K - $173K Montana $102K $72K - $209K Nebraska $102K $60K - $168K South Carolina $99K $63K - $198K Louisiana $97K $66K - $142K Alabama $93K $53K - $184K Idaho $93K $51K - $156K Mississippi $91K $51K - $190K Oklahoma $86K $61K - $148K West Virginia $85K $65K - $170K
Lower ($85K-$136K)Middle (~$136K)Higher ($136K-$186K)
Highest Paying States
- 1.District of Columbia$186K
- 2.Virginia$174K
- 3.New York$174K
- 4.Massachusetts$170K
- 5.New Jersey$170K
Lowest Paying States
- 1.West Virginia$85K
- 2.Oklahoma$86K
- 3.Mississippi$91K
- 4.Idaho$93K
- 5.Alabama$93K
Certifications, Training & Memberships
Recommended
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)
Public Relations Society of America
Certification
Rigorous exam-based credential validating strategic PR expertise. Requires experience and portfolio.
Digital Marketing Pro
DMI
Certification
Covers SEO, social media, and content strategies for PR.
Helpful
Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC)
International Public Relations Association
Certification
Global standard for senior PR professionals emphasizing ethics and leadership.
Google Analytics Certification
Google
Certification
Teaches data analysis for measuring campaign impact.
Professional Memberships
Member, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Public Relations Society of America
Membership
Premier network for networking, webinars, and industry updates.
Work Environment
Remote Work Fully Remote
Work Setting Traditional office / indoor
Physical Activity Mostly sedentary
Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction
Schedule Extended hours common
Your Skills & Attributes
Skills & Competencies Matches (47)
Strong Match
Strong Match
Strong Match
Strong Match
Strong Match
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Public Relations Manager a good career?
Public Relations Manager can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $130K and job outlook is growing (6% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.
What degree do you need to become a Public Relations Manager?
The typical education requirement for a Public Relations Manager is a Bachelor's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.
How long does it take to become a Public Relations Manager?
Becoming a Public Relations Manager typically requires about 4 years of undergraduate study. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.
What is the work-life balance like for a Public Relations Manager?
The work-life balance for a Public Relations Manager is moderate, with some periods requiring extended hours or flexibility. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.
What is the job outlook for Public Relations Manager?
The job outlook for Public Relations Manager is growing. Employment is projected to grow by 6% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.
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