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25 of the Highest Paying Public Relations Specialist Jobs in 2023

The best Public Relations Specialist jobs can pay up to $121,000 per year.

A public relations specialist is responsible for the reputation management of a business or organization. In this career, your job duties include ensuring the business’s public image remains positive while handing relationship management between media outlets and consumers. As the PR specialist, you’re in charge of media communication. This includes building a media kit, handling social media posts, writing and publishing a press release or media release on after major events or incidents, organizing PR events, brainstorming PR campaigns to create positive brand awareness. Your responsibilities in this role are wide and diverse, so you must be comfortable in many different consumer marketing disciplines.

The qualifications needed to become a public relations specialist include a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communication, journalism, or related field. This is a competitive industry, so in addition to a bachelor’s degree, it’s important to complete at least one internship and gain experience in school leadership roles to build a portfolio for future employers. After working in the industry for five years, there is an optional accreditation which can provide you with additional job opportunities. You should be comfortable being a liaison between not just the public, but with other media such as reporters and print editors that may be interested in writing stories about your press releases. You are expected to develop pitches to create interest in your business’s stories.

High Paying Public Relations Specialist Jobs

  • Public Relations and Communications Associate

    The majority of Public Relations and Communications Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $70,000 (25th percentile) and $121,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Public Relations and Communications Associate job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

  • Marketing and Outreach Specialist

    Salary range: $47,000-$116,500 per year

    The majority of Marketing and Outreach Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $47,000 (25th percentile) and $116,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Marketing and Outreach Specialist job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Public Relations Manager

    A public relations (PR) manager maintains the public image of an organization or client. Their duties may include managing a creative team, writing press releases, working with advertising, answering questions for the media, and organizing fundraisers. A public relations fundraising manager works on particular fundraising campaigns. Someone in this job should be able to use social trends to promote company relations with the public.

  • Associate Relations Specialist

    The majority of Associate Relations Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $52,000 (25th percentile) and $88,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Associate Relations Specialist job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

  • Relationship Specialist

    The majority of Relationship Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $46,000 (25th percentile) and $83,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Relationship Specialist job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.

  • Community Outreach Manager

    The majority of Community Outreach Manager salaries across the United States currently range between $52,000 (25th percentile) and $77,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Community Outreach Manager job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

  • Marketing Community Liaison

    Salary range: $46,000-$76,000 per year

    The majority of Marketing Community Liaison salaries across the United States currently range between $46,000 (25th percentile) and $76,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Marketing Community Liaison job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Public Information Specialist

    Salary range: $51,500-$74,500 per year

    A public information specialist works for a business or government agency and handles promotional materials, publications, media coverage, press guides, news releases, public outreach, and more. Your responsibilities in this career revolve around getting information out to the public promptly and with extreme accuracy while abiding by all departmental policies. Your daily duties as a public information specialist include things like creating flyers, updating websites, creating promotional videos, utilizing social media to create events, speaking with the public, and operating video or photography equipment. You could also be responsible for creating speech outlines for public officials and coordinating newsletters for other employees and the public.

  • Media Relations Associate

    Salary range: $60,000-$73,500 per year

    The majority of Media Relations Associate salaries across the United States currently range between $60,000 (25th percentile) and $73,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Media Relations Associate job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

  • Media Relations Specialist

    The majority of Media Relations Specialist salaries across the United States currently range between $47,000 (25th percentile) and $72,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Media Relations Specialist job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

  • Public Relations Associate

    A public relations associate meets with the press to create and develop a favorable image of an organization. Responsibilities include the design of advertising materials on a variety of platforms including social media. You must have experience with marketing and ad campaigns along with knowledge of analytics, media relations strategies, and current technologies to succeed in this job. Excellent verbal and communication skills are imperative to implement the vision of a client with creative solutions. Duties also involve advanced written documentation such as case studies, media talking points, and presentations. Work is full-time with most employers preferring individuals with experience in public relations.

  • Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

    The majority of Marketing and Outreach Coordinator salaries across the United States currently range between $40,500 (25th percentile) and $63,000 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator job market in the United States is moderately active, with several companies hiring.

  • Community Outreach Specialist

    A community outreach specialist educates the public about programs and resources that promote physical and mental health. Job duties include developing and implementing public health programs, supervising staff, managing budgets, and overseeing marketing and public awareness campaigns. People in this career divide their time between administrative tasks and interaction with the community. Qualifications for a community outreach specialist include a bachelor’s degree in public health or health administration, experience in the industry, and time management and communication skills.

  • Outreach Specialist

    An outreach specialist is a social service professional who works directly with the community to promote health and wellness. As an outreach specialist, your job duties involve identifying community needs, developing wellness programs and initiatives, and tracking progress. The position often combines administrative responsibilities with field work, like interacting directly with the public. To pursue a career as an outreach specialist, you typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health administration, public health, or a related field, as well as relevant work experience. Additional qualifications include strong interpersonal skills and critical thinking abilities.

  • Community Outreach Coordinator

    Community outreach coordinators develop outreach programs to serve people in their communities. This can range from helping a small set of individuals to organizing a large-scale community-wide building project. As a community outreach coordinator, your job is to take ideas and turn them into reachable goals by setting budgets, organizing volunteer committees, finding sponsors, raising funds, and using your interpersonal and leadership skills to benefit the community. You also serve as the representative and voice of your organization, speaking on behalf of the company and advocating for your projects in public settings.

  • Public Relations Coordinator

    Public relations coordinators manage the public image for their clients. As a public relations coordinator, you design public relations campaigns that may include organizing and coordinating events, setting up media interviews for company executives, and writing and distributing press releases. The qualifications to become a public relations coordinator include a bachelor’s degree and some experience working with the media and disseminating information to the public.

  • Outreach Educator

    An outreach educator works to engage the public and encourage participation in education programs or other community programs. In this career, your duties involve driving engagement by providing access to the activities that raise awareness in a subject or services. You may need to drive coordination with schools or community organizations. You host events or teach students and people about the issue or program you are championing. For example, an outreach educator with an environmental organization offers activities and events that increase the understanding of matters related to the environment.

  • Community Marketing Agent

    The majority of Community Marketing Agent salaries across the United States currently range between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $55,000 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Community Marketing Agent job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

  • Public Relations Representative

    A public relations (PR) representative manages communications and promotes the public image of a client or organization. As a public relations representative, you develop press releases, media clips, and brochures that align with the company or client brand. A career in PR demands that you cultivate relationships with clients, vendors, and media, and that you maintain the contacts best able to benefit your client. PR representatives usually report to a public relations specialist or director of communications. To succeed in this career you need superb public speaking and interpersonal skills. PR representatives usually work in an office and travel as required.

  • Public Relations Assistant

    Public relations (PR) assistants are support or administrative positions at a public relations firm or within a PR team. In this role, you research relevant trends and data for your company's current public relations campaign, help create and select marketing materials, develop and maintain relationships with clients, and work to find new potential clients. You may also be responsible for keeping accurate correspondence records and monitoring social media accounts for the duration of the project. Many companies consider this an entry-level position; they typically have the public relations assistants train alongside PR specialists and managers to gain all the skills necessary to move up to higher-level roles.

  • Outreach Counselor

    The majority of Outreach Counselor salaries across the United States currently range between $37,000 (25th percentile) and $52,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Outreach Counselor job market in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.

  • Outreach Representative

    The majority of Outreach Representative salaries across the United States currently range between $38,000 (25th percentile) and $50,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Outreach Representative job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

  • Release of Information Specialist

    As a release of information specialist, you provide information, usually medical records or information, to the proper recipients and follow confidentiality rules to protect clients’ sensitive information. Your job duties are to release information when it is requested, answer client questions either in person, over the phone, or online, and keep detailed records of information requests and documents. A high school diploma or GED certificate and computer proficiency are the only qualifications you need to start a career as a release of information specialist. You need strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and an ability to work well in groups as you will often collaborate with other specialists.

  • Outreach Team Member

    The majority of Outreach Team Member salaries across the United States currently range between $20,500 (25th percentile) and $40,500 (75th percentile) annually. This large range of salary potential suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay depending on skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Outreach Team Member job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Public Relations Intern

    Public relations (PR) focuses on managing the public image of a client or organization. As a public relations intern, you may work for a talent agency or PR firm, supporting an experienced agent while you gain the skills and experience to pursue a related career. Depending on the agency, your duties may include administrative and menial tasks, although you may also be asked to collaborate on strategy, media presentations, and scouting. If you work in fashion or entertainment, you may occasionally be required to travel to support festivals or events. Ultimately, your job is to help the agency understand and meet client needs. As a PR intern, you should understand basic marketing principles and be good at communicating with others.