Public relations specialist

Pay

Getting in

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

On-the-job training

None

Prior experience

None

Calculate your switch to public relations specialist

What the work is like

Core tasks

• Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
• Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
• Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
• Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
• Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
• Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
• Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
• Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.

Also called: Communications Specialist · Community Relations Coordinator · Corporate Communications Specialist · Information and Communications Specialist · Media Relations Specialist · Public Affairs Specialist · Public Information Officer · Public Information Specialist

Outlook and AI

Public relations specialists held 314,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 320,200 by 2035 (+2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).

Productivity change, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as public relations specialists increasingly use artificial intelligence (AI) tools for social media content. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is also increasingly used in public relations to produce some content on its own, requiring less involvement of public relations specialists.

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