Public relations specialists

The work

What people in this job do

• 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.

O*NET · 2026

The outlook

How the forecast changed this year

BLS · 2024–34 and 2025–35

AI
BLS now cites artificial intelligence in this occupation's outlook: “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.”

Paths in

Degrees that lead here

• CommunicationSee the degree →
• Public Relations and AdvertisingSee the degree →
• Communication, GeneralCIP 09.0100
• Speech Communication and RhetoricCIP 09.0101
• Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.0900
• Public Relations/Image ManagementCIP 09.0902

NCES · CIP–SOC

Paths across

Careers that use similar skills

• Public Relations Managers$146,910 · +5.7%
• Advertising and Promotions Managers$133,660 · -3.7%
• Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$78,760 · +7.0%
• Writers and Authors$76,910 · -0.3%
• Marketing Managers$166,790 · +6.9%

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