How to become a Public Relations Manager
Official title: Public Relations Managers
Also called: Communications Director, Communications Manager, Community Relations Director, PR Director (Public Relations Director), Public Affairs Director
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.
Main 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.
How to become one
Public relations and fundraising managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and some positions may require a master's degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 31 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $146,910 a year The middle half earn $106,580 to $204,520.
- About 80,800 people work in this job now, and about 85,400 are projected by 2035. (+5.7%)
- People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Public Relations Manager?
Public relations and fundraising managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and some positions may require a master's degree. Many years of related work experience are also necessary.
How much does a Public Relations Manager earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $146,910 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $106,580 to $204,520.
Is a Public Relations Manager a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 80,800 to about 85,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Public Relations Manager?
Usually. 88% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Public Relations Manager?
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.