Management
Public relations manager
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
Median pay
$146,910
Growth to 2035
+6%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
6,100
Time to qualify*
5 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Public relations manager
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- 5 years or more
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Public relations manager: 69% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities.
- Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff.
- Identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.
- Develop, implement, or maintain crisis communication plans.
- Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet web pages.
- Manage communications budgets.
- Develop and maintain the company's corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
- Facilitate consumer relations or the relationship between parts of the company, such as the managers and employees, or different branch offices.
Also called: Communications Director · Communications Manager · Community Relations Director · PR Director (Public Relations Director) · Public Affairs Director
Outlook and AI
Public relations managers held 80,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 85,400 by 2035 (+6%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Public relations manager vs. Public relations specialist
- Public relations manager vs. Advertising and promotions managers
- Public relations manager vs. Marketing specialist
- Public relations manager vs. Management analyst
- Public relations manager vs. Marketing manager
- Public relations manager vs. Fundraising manager
- Public relations manager vs. Social and community service managers
- Public relations manager vs. Human resources manager
- Public relations manager vs. General and operations managers