How long does it take to become a public relations manager?

Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do public relations managers make?

The US median is $146,910 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a public relations manager?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train to become a public relations manager?

1,291 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a public relations manager

Management · SOC 11-2032

$146,910US median pay, 2025

+5.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

6,100Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work as a public relations manager

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Speech Communication and Rhetoric	CIP 09.0101	745
Communication, General	CIP 09.0100	346
Mass Communication/Media Studies	CIP 09.0102	304
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	CIP 09.0900	155
Public Relations/Image Management	CIP 09.0902	146
Business/Corporate Communications, General	CIP 52.0501	52
Communication Management and Strategic Communications	CIP 09.0909	45
International and Intercultural Communication	CIP 09.0907	20
Political Communication	CIP 09.0904	10
Business/Corporate Communications, Other	CIP 52.0599	1

See the 1,291 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a public relations manager?: Typically about four years for the degree, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do public relations managers make?: The US median is $146,910 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a public relations manager?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train to become a public relations manager?: 1,291 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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