Public relations managers
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Public Relations Managers: Plan and direct public relations programs designed to create and maintain a favorable public image for employer or client; or if engaged in fundraising, plan and direct activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects and nonprofit organizations.
Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers held about 646,000 jobs in 2004. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty:
| Sales managers | 337,000 |
| Marketing managers | 188,000 |
| Advertising and promotions managers | 64,000 |
| Public relations managers | 58,000 |
These managers were found in virtually every industry. Sales managers held almost half of the jobs; most were employed in wholesale and retail trade, and finance and insurance industries. Marketing managers held more than fourth of the jobs; the professional, scientific, and technical services industries employed almost one-third of marketing managers. About one-fourth of advertising and promotions managers worked in the professional, scientific, and technical services industries, and the, information industries, including advertising and related services, and publishing industries. Most public relations managers were employed in service-providing industries, such as professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, health care and social assistance, and educational services.
Median annual earnings in May 2004 were $63,610 for advertising and promotions managers, $87,640 for marketing managers, $84,220 sales managers, and $70,000 for public relations managers.
Median annual earnings of advertising and promotions managers in May 2004 in the advertising and related services industry were $89,570.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of marketing managers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $107,030 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 98,700 |
| Insurance carriers | 86,810 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 83,610 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 76,450 |
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of sales managers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $119,140 |
| Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers | 101,930 |
| Automobile dealers | 97,460 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 95,410 |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | 84,680 |
According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, starting salaries for marketing majors graduating in 2005 averaged $33,873; starting salaries for advertising majors averaged $31,340.
Salary levels vary substantially, depending upon the level of managerial responsibility, length of service, education, size of firm, location, and industry. For example, manufacturing firms usually pay these managers higher salaries than do nonmanufacturing firms. For sales managers, the size of their sales territory is another important determinant of salary. Many managers earn bonuses equal to 10 percent or more of their salaries.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Public relations managers | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: 80 mean earnings: $100,300 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,920 | $59,070 | $87,450 | $126,970 | >$145K |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 50 mean earnings: $100,770 | $47,310 | $59,300 | $88,950 | $128,860 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 410 mean earnings: $98,050 (EC) (def) (IG) | $59,410 | $77,700 | $94,990 | $113,820 | $141,300 |
| Utilities employment: 410 mean earnings: $98,050 | $59,410 | $77,700 | $94,990 | $113,820 | $141,300 |
| Construction employment: 90 mean earnings: $94,660 (EC) (def) (IG) | $53,550 | $71,170 | $92,500 | $111,280 | $144,770 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 50 mean earnings: $94,910 | $46,300 | $69,140 | $88,090 | $112,400 | >$145K |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 30 mean earnings: $97,650 | $63,630 | $75,040 | $99,700 | $111,290 | $131,160 |
| Manufacturing employment: 1,470 mean earnings: $102,150 (EC) (def) (IG) | $53,540 | $69,910 | $96,020 | $125,120 | >$145K |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $101,330 | $48,750 | $61,870 | $90,730 | $131,780 | >$145K |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 90 mean earnings: $91,540 | $53,880 | $64,770 | $84,560 | $117,230 | $140,590 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 190 mean earnings: $95,260 | $49,130 | $62,030 | $84,460 | $117,080 | >$145K |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 40 mean earnings: n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $95,550 | $57,430 | $66,190 | $86,840 | $112,430 | >$145K |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 460 mean earnings: $108,450 | $60,190 | $79,910 | $102,290 | $131,290 | >$145K |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: n.a. mean earnings: $111,570 | $68,250 | $84,160 | $108,360 | $135,790 | >$145K |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 180 mean earnings: $100,030 | $52,050 | $69,940 | $99,210 | $119,940 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 150 mean earnings: $113,840 | $58,460 | $77,320 | $107,500 | $141,600 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 490 mean earnings: $99,690 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,860 | $69,760 | $93,890 | $119,370 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 270 mean earnings: $91,700 | $47,260 | $65,360 | $84,180 | $109,800 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 190 mean earnings: $113,060 | $61,050 | $83,060 | $108,070 | $136,630 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 30 mean earnings: $87,930 | $46,430 | $62,310 | $87,270 | $111,250 | $131,940 |
| Retail Trade employment: 300 mean earnings: $82,770 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,640 | $48,820 | $72,080 | $109,710 | $144,280 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 40 mean earnings: $84,380 | $38,900 | $43,920 | $65,950 | $121,750 | >$145K |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 60 mean earnings: $62,800 | $28,850 | $40,000 | $53,840 | $83,720 | $106,580 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 40 mean earnings: $91,420 | $50,460 | $57,890 | $74,590 | $122,180 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 60 mean earnings: $114,090 | $53,370 | $70,080 | $117,720 | $143,120 | >$145K |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 30 mean earnings: $82,950 | $42,830 | $53,760 | $80,690 | $107,360 | $130,170 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 240 mean earnings: $99,660 (EC) (def) (IG) | $58,670 | $74,020 | $95,510 | $117,490 | >$145K |
| Air Transportation employment: 100 mean earnings: $100,480 | $63,400 | $75,050 | $91,770 | $114,690 | >$145K |
| Rail Transportation employment: 40 mean earnings: $113,120 | $64,750 | $83,310 | $111,200 | $137,520 | >$145K |
| Information employment: 2,120 mean earnings: $92,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,310 | $58,160 | $82,240 | $116,780 | >$145K |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 400 mean earnings: $98,860 | $47,090 | $62,260 | $87,360 | $129,730 | >$145K |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 230 mean earnings: $95,250 | $41,870 | $60,720 | $85,450 | $123,280 | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 790 mean earnings: $78,340 | $38,410 | $48,020 | $69,880 | $92,520 | $136,270 |
| Telecommunications employment: 360 mean earnings: $110,370 | $53,040 | $76,100 | $104,240 | $137,440 | >$145K |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 260 mean earnings: $99,970 | $49,360 | $64,070 | $90,270 | $127,290 | >$145K |
| Other Information Services employment: 60 mean earnings: $82,460 | $35,380 | $60,050 | $75,120 | $101,420 | $133,860 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 3,540 mean earnings: $97,160 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,900 | $64,050 | $87,730 | $119,260 | >$145K |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 1,570 mean earnings: $95,260 | $43,060 | $60,950 | $87,170 | $119,290 | >$145K |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 650 mean earnings: $114,470 | $58,620 | $75,700 | $102,280 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 1,250 mean earnings: $90,910 | $47,730 | $62,110 | $82,950 | $110,020 | >$145K |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 50 mean earnings: $95,400 | $45,700 | $69,000 | $87,740 | $116,370 | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 230 mean earnings: $104,280 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,810 | $63,200 | $91,820 | $137,160 | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: 110 mean earnings: $101,810 | $50,690 | $63,260 | $83,710 | $126,490 | >$145K |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 100 mean earnings: $105,930 | $41,700 | $59,330 | $99,210 | $141,770 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 6,340 mean earnings: $108,740 (EC) (def) (IG) | $55,660 | $72,530 | $97,110 | $137,270 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 6,340 mean earnings: $108,740 | $55,660 | $72,530 | $97,110 | $137,270 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 3,460 mean earnings: $101,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,680 | $65,190 | $91,340 | $123,710 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 3,460 mean earnings: $101,530 | $49,680 | $65,190 | $91,340 | $123,710 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 1,100 mean earnings: $84,100 (EC) (def) (IG) | $45,600 | $55,420 | $75,060 | $102,370 | $139,260 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 1,010 mean earnings: $83,670 | $45,140 | $54,650 | $72,630 | $104,090 | $139,640 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $88,480 | $53,010 | $76,050 | $84,280 | $92,650 | $128,950 |
| Educational Services employment: 4,680 mean earnings: $76,540 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,560 | $53,460 | $70,260 | $91,690 | $120,010 |
| Educational Services employment: 4,680 mean earnings: $76,540 | $41,560 | $53,460 | $70,260 | $91,690 | $120,010 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 4,890 mean earnings: $64,810 (EC) (def) (IG) | $34,800 | $43,910 | $59,190 | $78,640 | $103,540 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 520 mean earnings: $68,990 | $39,320 | $49,200 | $61,050 | $81,420 | $110,910 |
| Hospitals employment: 1,480 mean earnings: $79,050 | $45,490 | $57,200 | $73,230 | $92,690 | $119,960 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 370 mean earnings: $60,180 | $32,710 | $42,410 | $54,680 | $72,660 | $95,170 |
| Social Assistance employment: 2,520 mean earnings: $56,280 | $31,810 | $39,390 | $51,140 | $68,540 | $87,720 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 1,880 mean earnings: $71,050 (EC) (def) (IG) | $32,650 | $43,980 | $64,430 | $88,140 | $118,120 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 1,070 mean earnings: $73,360 | $31,480 | $43,540 | $66,720 | $91,020 | $126,020 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 660 mean earnings: $68,020 | $34,770 | $44,220 | $60,500 | $84,380 | $110,000 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 140 mean earnings: $67,570 | $32,720 | $45,790 | $65,350 | $82,900 | $104,980 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 120 mean earnings: $69,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,070 | $43,060 | $64,350 | $87,800 | $113,830 |
| Accommodation employment: 100 mean earnings: $74,180 | $33,700 | $50,440 | $71,940 | $90,890 | $116,380 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 8,230 mean earnings: $78,540 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,690 | $50,540 | $69,120 | $94,700 | $133,850 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 8,210 mean earnings: $78,560 | $38,740 | $50,590 | $69,140 | $94,710 | $133,830 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 4,090 mean earnings: $70,890 (def) (IG) | $37,680 | $49,410 | $67,850 | $90,600 | $112,690 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 4,090 mean earnings: $70,890 | $37,680 | $49,410 | $67,850 | $90,600 | $112,690 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.