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Public Affairs information

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$36.5K

$85.7K

$117K

How much do public affairs jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for public affairs in the United States is $85,669.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Public Affairs vs Public Relations?

AspectPublic AffairsPublic Relations
Primary FocusGovernment relations, policy advocacy, stakeholder engagementBrand image, media relations, reputation management
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, non-profits, corporations engaging with policymakersMedia outlets, marketing firms, corporate communication departments
Required CredentialsCommunications, political science, public policy degrees; often requires understanding of legislationCommunications, marketing, journalism degrees; focus on media and messaging skills
Common UsageUsed by organizations to influence policy and government decisionsUsed to shape public perception and media coverage

While both roles involve strategic communication, Public Affairs primarily focuses on government relations and policy advocacy, whereas Public Relations centers on managing a company's public image and media relations. Understanding these differences helps organizations target their communication efforts effectively.

What are public affairs?

Public affairs refers to the management of relationships between organizations and governments, the media, and the public. Professionals in this field work to influence public policy, communicate key messages, and advocate for their organization’s interests. They often monitor legislative and regulatory developments, build relationships with stakeholders, and execute communication strategies. Public affairs roles are common in government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and trade associations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Public Affairs professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Public Affairs professional, you need strong written and verbal communication skills, a background in political science, communications, or public relations, and often a relevant degree. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, social media platforms, stakeholder management systems, and sometimes certifications like APR (Accredited in Public Relations) are beneficial. Exceptional interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and adaptability help professionals build relationships and navigate complex, dynamic environments. These skills are crucial for effectively managing public perception, fostering stakeholder engagement, and supporting organizational objectives.

How does a Public Affairs professional typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

Public Affairs professionals frequently work cross-functionally, collaborating closely with departments such as Communications, Legal, Government Relations, and Marketing. They help ensure that messaging is consistent and align organizational objectives with public policy or stakeholder expectations. This collaboration often involves joint planning of campaigns, coordinating responses to regulatory changes, and managing external communications during sensitive situations. Building strong relationships with internal teams is key to effectively representing the organization’s interests to external audiences.
More about Public Affairs jobs
What cities are hiring for Public Affairs jobs? Cities with the most Public Affairs job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Public Affairs jobs? The most popular types of Public Affairs jobs are:
What states have the most Public Affairs jobs? States with the most job openings for Public Affairs jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Public Affairs jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Public Affairs jobs are:
Public Affairs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Affairs job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,669 per year, or $41.2 per hour.

Public Affairs Specialist

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

San Antonio, TX • On-site

$90K/yr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

The public affairs program markets South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) mission, services, and activities to the potential Veteran patients, their families, staff, volunteers, members of the media, and local, state, and federal elected officials and community groups. The Public Affairs Specialist is assigned to the Office of Public Affairs reporting to the Chief, Public Affairs.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/23/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Managing high-visibility public affairs operations for a large, complex healthcare or government organization, including independently developing and executing communication plans, media strategies, and stakeholder engagement efforts; Serving as an organizational spokesperson or Public Information Officer, providing rapid, accurate, and coordinated responses during crises, emergent events, or sensitive issues, and advising senior leadership on communication risks and messaging; Producing a wide range of communication products-news releases, feature stories, talking points, speeches, newsletters, and digital content-with demonstrated ability to translate complex healthcare, research, or policy information for diverse audiences; Leading digital communication efforts, including managing official social media platforms, web content systems (e.g., Drupal, TeamSite), digital campaigns, and analytics to increase engagement and ensure timely, accurate, and compliant information delivery; Planning and coordinating high-profile events, Very Important Person (VIP) visits, congressional engagements, and public forums, including logistics, protocol, briefing materials, and cross-departmental coordination with executive leadership.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.Education:There is no educational substitution at this GS-12 grade level.
Employment Type: OTHER

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