Public relations managers
November 2004 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 700,000 jobs in 2002. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty.
| Sales managers | 343,000 |
| Marketing managers | 203,000 |
| Advertising and promotions managers | 85,000 |
| Public relations managers | 69,000 |
These managers were found in virtually every industry. Sales managers held almost half of the jobs; most were employed in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and finance and insurance industries. Marketing managers held more one-fourth of the jobs; manufacturing, and professional, scientific, and technical services industries employed more than one-third of marketing managers. More than one-third of advertising and promotions managers worked in professional, scientific, and technical services, and information industries, including advertising and related services, and publishing industries. Most public relations managers were employed in services industries, such as other services (except government), professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, health care and social assistance services, and educational services.
Median annual earnings in 2002 were $57,130 for advertising and promotions managers, $78,250 for marketing managers, $75,040 for sales managers, and $60,640 for public relations managers. Earnings ranged from less than $30,310 for the lowest-paid 10 percent of advertising and promotions managers, to more than $145,600 for the highest-paid 10 percent of marketing and sales managers.
Median annual earnings advertising and promotions managers in 2002 in the advertising and related services industry were $72,630.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of marketing managers in 2002 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $96,440 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 90,750 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 65,960 |
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of sales managers in 2002 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $102,520 |
| Automobile dealers | 91,350 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 87,800 |
| Insurance carriers | 80,540 |
| Traveler accommodation | 44,560 |
Median annual earnings of public relations managers in 2002 in colleges, universities, and professional schools were $55,510.
According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, starting salaries for marketing majors graduating in 2003 averaged $34,038; starting salaries for advertising majors averaged $29,495.
Salary levels vary substantially, depending upon the level of managerial responsibility, length of service, education, firm size, 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.
November 2004 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: 100 mean earnings: $99,890 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,020 | $61,270 | $95,230 | $124,370 | >$145K |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 70 mean earnings: $107,460 | $48,590 | $72,770 | $106,310 | $133,170 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 480 mean earnings: $94,030 (EC) (def) (IG) | $58,690 | $73,390 | $89,780 | $110,200 | $136,840 |
| Utilities employment: 480 mean earnings: $94,030 | $58,690 | $73,390 | $89,780 | $110,200 | $136,840 |
| Construction employment: 160 mean earnings: $82,480 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,210 | $51,780 | $79,860 | $106,370 | $130,450 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 90 mean earnings: $83,590 | $34,460 | $54,140 | $81,060 | $110,170 | $135,890 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 30 mean earnings: $88,350 | $42,960 | $63,310 | $96,540 | $109,530 | $119,980 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 30 mean earnings: $73,250 | $39,790 | $46,520 | $66,650 | $84,650 | $117,110 |
| Manufacturing employment: 1,650 mean earnings: $102,330 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,890 | $69,940 | $96,370 | $125,010 | >$145K |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 110 mean earnings: $102,470 | $39,920 | $58,450 | $100,250 | $133,100 | >$145K |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 120 mean earnings: $82,930 | $49,930 | $60,210 | $70,940 | $102,000 | $133,740 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 260 mean earnings: $109,970 | $49,590 | $71,010 | $101,750 | $140,470 | >$145K |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 30 mean earnings: $87,860 | $50,010 | $62,750 | $80,700 | $109,550 | $136,320 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $94,240 | $54,730 | $65,420 | $86,890 | $112,250 | >$145K |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 440 mean earnings: $108,620 | $63,390 | $81,960 | $101,910 | $129,650 | >$145K |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $110,170 | $62,750 | $82,060 | $105,300 | $134,870 | >$145K |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 180 mean earnings: $101,950 | $53,800 | $72,100 | $101,290 | $121,670 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 170 mean earnings: $107,220 | $55,690 | $70,490 | $98,140 | $134,360 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 480 mean earnings: $96,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,710 | $64,610 | $89,760 | $119,360 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 250 mean earnings: $92,490 | $46,390 | $61,640 | $80,050 | $113,980 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 200 mean earnings: $102,010 | $47,220 | $70,440 | $99,640 | $126,850 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 40 mean earnings: $95,340 | $46,700 | $70,500 | $93,910 | $113,240 | $144,670 |
| Retail Trade employment: 380 mean earnings: $85,140 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,330 | $49,330 | $73,540 | $108,780 | >$145K |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 50 mean earnings: $82,890 | $40,590 | $45,250 | $61,960 | $112,860 | >$145K |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 40 mean earnings: $110,590 | $44,550 | $63,080 | $86,380 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 40 mean earnings: $58,000 | $41,640 | $45,350 | $51,550 | $64,320 | $91,200 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 60 mean earnings: $64,900 | $28,450 | $39,820 | $54,490 | $87,470 | $110,250 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 40 mean earnings: $94,940 | $50,090 | $59,140 | $85,780 | $123,180 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 60 mean earnings: $108,150 | $51,300 | $75,200 | $107,300 | $130,610 | >$145K |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 40 mean earnings: $85,560 | $43,860 | $58,330 | $83,780 | $105,980 | $130,090 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 320 mean earnings: $101,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $57,060 | $72,770 | $97,330 | $122,220 | >$145K |
| Air Transportation employment: 110 mean earnings: $106,940 | $63,890 | $76,900 | $96,600 | $126,590 | >$145K |
| Rail Transportation employment: 70 mean earnings: $106,910 | $64,270 | $74,800 | $97,010 | $131,140 | >$145K |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 30 mean earnings: $88,640 | $50,400 | $64,390 | $93,390 | $112,460 | $132,030 |
| Information employment: 2,500 mean earnings: $92,360 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,050 | $57,600 | $81,370 | $117,410 | >$145K |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 490 mean earnings: $99,690 | $48,750 | $64,310 | $87,860 | $128,780 | >$145K |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 390 mean earnings: $99,940 | $43,500 | $57,920 | $83,480 | $130,960 | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 830 mean earnings: $76,930 | $34,860 | $46,750 | $67,380 | $94,010 | $132,860 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 40 mean earnings: $89,840 | $49,800 | $68,800 | $90,280 | $112,350 | $133,560 |
| Telecommunications employment: 400 mean earnings: $110,700 | $54,410 | $80,840 | $107,440 | $135,920 | >$145K |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 260 mean earnings: $93,830 | $48,550 | $61,640 | $85,900 | $117,860 | >$145K |
| Other Information Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $79,020 | $49,900 | $57,430 | $70,990 | $105,890 | $122,340 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 4,180 mean earnings: $94,310 (EC) (def) (IG) | $45,040 | $59,070 | $84,280 | $116,180 | >$145K |
| Monetary Authorities - Central Bank employment: 30 mean earnings: $94,970 | $58,190 | $68,580 | $89,530 | $113,770 | $140,080 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 2,100 mean earnings: $86,190 | $40,430 | $54,560 | $78,450 | $109,050 | $143,990 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 640 mean earnings: $120,500 | $60,060 | $78,950 | $107,240 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 1,340 mean earnings: $94,490 | $48,050 | $60,660 | $82,990 | $114,420 | >$145K |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 60 mean earnings: $95,880 | $44,230 | $71,960 | $89,100 | $111,130 | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 290 mean earnings: $105,760 (EC) (def) (IG) | $48,930 | $62,280 | $90,170 | $142,420 | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: 160 mean earnings: $99,290 | $47,290 | $57,780 | $79,370 | $135,250 | >$145K |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 110 mean earnings: $115,110 | $50,970 | $70,480 | $103,000 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 6,510 mean earnings: $105,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $53,560 | $70,070 | $93,300 | $130,750 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 6,510 mean earnings: $105,530 | $53,560 | $70,070 | $93,300 | $130,750 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 3,020 mean earnings: $101,990 (EC) (def) (IG) | $48,270 | $65,990 | $91,110 | $123,860 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 3,020 mean earnings: $101,990 | $48,270 | $65,990 | $91,110 | $123,860 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 1,520 mean earnings: $77,760 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,530 | $51,850 | $68,680 | $91,390 | $129,200 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 1,410 mean earnings: $77,100 | $39,990 | $51,120 | $67,230 | $91,400 | $129,170 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 110 mean earnings: $86,430 | $52,520 | $70,510 | $81,830 | $91,320 | $129,560 |
| Educational Services employment: 4,860 mean earnings: $74,170 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,200 | $51,910 | $68,350 | $89,120 | $114,240 |
| Educational Services employment: 4,860 mean earnings: $74,170 | $40,200 | $51,910 | $68,350 | $89,120 | $114,240 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 5,570 mean earnings: $62,950 (EC) (def) (IG) | $32,900 | $42,340 | $56,580 | $76,100 | $104,470 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 670 mean earnings: $66,410 | $36,180 | $47,190 | $58,840 | $78,480 | $109,450 |
| Hospitals employment: 1,580 mean earnings: $75,170 | $41,530 | $52,940 | $69,440 | $89,400 | $115,430 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 540 mean earnings: $57,330 | $33,200 | $42,340 | $53,590 | $65,530 | $86,730 |
| Social Assistance employment: 2,790 mean earnings: $56,290 | $29,800 | $38,260 | $50,130 | $68,010 | $93,880 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 2,010 mean earnings: $71,460 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,980 | $43,410 | $64,150 | $87,860 | $121,950 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 1,140 mean earnings: $74,030 | $30,910 | $42,510 | $66,440 | $91,730 | $129,100 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 670 mean earnings: $70,270 | $33,880 | $44,870 | $60,850 | $86,010 | $120,670 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 210 mean earnings: $61,270 | $32,620 | $42,120 | $63,050 | $75,230 | $87,750 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 280 mean earnings: $82,470 (EC) (def) (IG) | $37,040 | $50,760 | $84,780 | $110,190 | $124,710 |
| Accommodation employment: 250 mean earnings: $86,260 | $37,790 | $60,900 | $89,120 | $112,060 | $125,320 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 9,150 mean earnings: $75,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,770 | $48,310 | $66,630 | $91,750 | $126,940 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 9,110 mean earnings: $75,630 | $36,820 | $48,330 | $66,590 | $91,710 | $126,920 |
| Public Administration employment: 4,160 mean earnings: $69,280 (def) (IG) | $37,350 | $48,240 | $66,120 | $88,310 | $110,300 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 4,160 mean earnings: $69,280 | $37,350 | $48,240 | $66,120 | $88,310 | $110,300 |
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.
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates