Hiring Public Relations Managers

What do public relations managers do?

• Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff.
• Confer with labor relations managers to develop internal communications that keep employees informed of company activities.
• Design and edit promotional publications, such as brochures.
• Develop and maintain the company's corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
• Develop, implement, or maintain crisis communication plans.
• Direct activities of external agencies, establishments, or departments that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 11-2032.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects for this role.

What do public relations managers get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for public relations managers in 86 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $70,430 to $213,510 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $129,280. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 11-2032.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for public relations managers in this build is $213,510. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $42,702 to $64,053 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a public relations managers search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.