Skip to content

Public Relations Specialists

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (27-3031)
Bright Outlook

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

At a Glance

Public Relations Specialists earns a median of $69,780/yr with +4.8% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Integrity, Dependability, Communications and Media.

Median Annual Wage

$69,780/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+4.8%

Annual Openings

28

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (14)

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.1
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.1
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.0
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

4.0
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

4.0
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.9
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.9
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.9
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.8
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.5
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.4
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.4
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

3.3
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

3.3

Knowledge (6)

Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

4.9
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.7
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.0
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

4.0
Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

3.9
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

3.5

Abilities (12)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.3
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.1
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

4.0
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

4.0
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.0
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.9
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.9
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.9
Originality

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

3.8
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.8
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.6
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5

Technology (26)

Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Marketo Marketing Automation

Category: Sales and marketing software | Hot Technology

4.5
JavaScript

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Hypertext markup language HTML

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Apple macOS

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Creative Cloud software

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe After Effects

Category: Video creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Google Analytics

Category: Data mining software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Cisco Webex

Category: Video conferencing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Cascading style sheets CSS

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
WordPress

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

4.5
Canva

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Illustrator

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe InDesign

Category: Desktop publishing software | Hot Technology

4.5
HubSpot software

Category: Sales and marketing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Google Docs

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (24)

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.8
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.8
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.6
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

4.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.4
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.3
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.2
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.2
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

4.1
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.1
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.0
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

4.0
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.9
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.9
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.7
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.6
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.6
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.5
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.4
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.4
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.3

Work Styles (4)

Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

4.3
Social Orientation

A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Public Relations Specialists.

Get Started Free