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

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do public relations specialists make?

The US median is $74,750 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 specialist?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a public relations specialist?

1,170 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Public relations specialists

How to become a public relations specialist

Arts, design, media & film · SOC 27-3031

$74,750US median pay, 2025

+1.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

23,000Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a public relations specialist

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
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	CIP 09.0900	155
Public Relations/Image Management	CIP 09.0902	146
Sports Communication	CIP 09.0906	75
Health Communication	CIP 09.0905	56
Business/Corporate Communications, General	CIP 52.0501	52
International and Intercultural Communication	CIP 09.0907	20
Political Communication	CIP 09.0904	10
Business/Corporate Communications, Other	CIP 52.0599	1
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Communication	CIP 19.0202	0

See the 1,170 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a public relations specialist?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do public relations specialists make?: The US median is $74,750 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 specialist?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a public relations specialist?: 1,170 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.

Related careers in Arts, design, media & film

Coaches and scouts · Musicians and singers · Merchandise displayers and window trimmers · Graphic designers · Art directors · Producers and directors · Writers and authors · Photographers