There are many factors that influence the public relations salary pay scale. While the role you perform in the industry is probably the greatest single factor in determining a PR salary, industry trends also determine the direction of public relations pay.

Where you live is an important piece to consider when looking at public relations salaries. In certain cities, public relations job salaries are much higher (although so is the cost of living, so it may be a wash). Whether your employer works for profit will also determine your public relations pay. Last but not least, the rise of the Internet is transforming the industry, and those without Internet savvy will likely suffer. This article will discuss these three salary tools for public relations employment news and trends in more detail.

1. Salary for public relations is higher in certain U.S. cities.

2. Salaries in PR are lower for non-profits than for-profits.

3. The Internet has transformed the PR landscape and Internet savviness will be a consideration for public relations pay.

4. Keep a competitive edge via industry seminars, trade publications, etc.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know which U.S. cities pay higher PR salaries

The bottom line is where you live will influence how much you get paid. That being said, according to PR recruiting company Spring Associates, public relations agency salaries have increased on average by 3.2 percent nationwide.

I recommend: Principles of Public Relations indicates that New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC pay better than other U.S. cities. According to Spring Associates, the eight “key metro cities are New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Washington and San Francisco." Combined, these cities posted an average salary increase of 4.2 percent.

Understand the difference in PR salary in the for profit vs. non-profit world

Non-profit companies, such as charities, feed surplus funds back into their company or allocate it toward the cause they are serving. In the for-profit world these profits go toward salaries, among other things. You should therefore expect a PR salary to be lower at a non-profit place of employment.

I recommend: HighBeam Research shows that non-profits' salaries increased for awhile, then abruptly stopped. FWP Acquisition's "workinpr.com" website discusses trends in the earlier part of the decade, which confirm PR salaries are lower in the non-profit field than in the for-profit world.

Realize the impact on PR salaries of the Internet

The PR landscape has changed dramatically with the Internet becoming a powerful industry tool. To be successful, you need to know how to take advantage of social networking sites, blogs and online forums to get your message across. For those whose skills lie solely with working the phones and issuing press releases, you will not be considered nearly as marketable and should lower your salary expectations accordingly.

I recommend: The PR 20/20 blog discusses Internet PR trends. Marty Fahncke's article, published on the Electronic Retailer Magazine's website, discusses how the Internet is changing the face of PR and a typical public relations job description.

Stay in the know and maximize your PR salary potential via educational seminars and trade magazines

Maximize your salary potential by keeping your skills sharp. Consider trade publications, educational seminars, etc. to achieve this.

I recommend: All About Public Relations provides links for skills resources. PRSA, a well-respected industry association, provides networking, education and industry news.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  During challenging economic times, consider creating a team of part-time talent and market yourselves as a group (a copywriter, a web designer and you as the PR person). When full-time positions are hard to come by, multiple part-time options may pay the bills until the job market improves.

The public relations industry is a growing field. Drawn by the excitement of corporate scandals, celebrity mishaps and the desire to do good, many public relations hopefuls are using public relations salary tools to help them determine if the salaries in PR will lead to a financially prosperous career.

Most public relations professionals will tell you that PR salaries can be very lucrative if you're a good writer, strategist and media relations guru. Relationships are key to boosting public relations salaries over the long run. An outgoing attitude coupled with a love for shaping people's perceptions about a product, personality or program can take you a long way. Follow these tips and you'll understand how public relations pay tools can equip you to make the most of your career in public relations.

1. Discover the salary scales for public relations salaries.

2. Salaries in PR increase with added responsibility. Use a PR salary calculator to create your career path.

3. Public relations pay can also vary depending on which specialty you choose or company you decide to work for. Make public relations salary information work for you during salary negotiations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Meet career objectives by understanding PR salaries

Most PR professionals begin their careers at PR agencies. PR salaries often begin low and move their way up from there. Those who directly handle client accounts in an agency environment are the Account Coordinator, Assistant Account Executive, Account Executive and Account Supervisor. The Account Coordinator provides administrative support for assigned accounts and is paid the least.

I recommend: Empower yourself with salary articles that will help you understand how PR salaries are structured. The annual salary survey from PRWeek charts what public relations professionals earn. Use the salary survey article at Workinpr.com to understand some of the salary trends in public relations.

Know where you stand with a PR salary calculator

Most employers look for direct public relations experience when transitioning to this exciting career. However, it's not impossible to create a career path with increasing responsibility quickly. Know where you stand by calculating public relations job salaries that fit your experience level.

I recommend: Check out Spring Associates Inc. free salary check-up. All you have to do is agree to their honesty pledge, fill out the query forms and you'll receive a comprehensive profile that will tell you how much your skills are worth. SalaryExpert is another great search engine that will help you identify PR salaries in your area.

Boost your PR career with public relations salary information

There are many specialties in public relations. Crisis management PR has the highest salary, closely followed by technology, health and education. However, you don't have to work for a PR agency. Many companies have PR departments and generally have higher public relations salaries for experienced professionals. Arm yourself with salary information before you go after your dream job.

I recommend: PayScale has a salary survey report that breaks down PR Account Executive median salaries according to years of experience, area of specialty and cities with the most PR professionals. For a small fee, add your position title to Salary.com and get a personal salary report that you can use during pay negotiations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Membership with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is an invaluable resource. Keep your PR career on track with the career resources, professional development classes and networking resources they offer.

There are many factors that can influence your public relations salary. Public relations salaries will vary according to the type of company that hires you (i.e. non-profit vs. for profit), your level of experience in the industry, as well as the role you perform. Your educational background can also influence PR salaries.

This article will provide you with some references to understand salary tools for public relations employment basics, as well as discuss the various factors that come into play when it comes to public relations pay. When beginning your research about salaries in PR, be sure to consider the following:

1. The role that job type plays in determining PR salaries;

2. How educational background influences PR salary;

3. Other factors, such as location and employer, that impact public relations salaries.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand how job type can influence a public relations salary

Your salary in public relations will depend largely on the type of role you perform. A writer for instance, may not command as high a salary as an account executive, and an administrative assistant will likely not earn as much as a public relations vice President.

I recommend: Salary's website includes a long list of positions in the public relations field. Simply click on the job of interest to get specific public relations salary information. Simply Hired's site also compares salary ranges among various jobs in the public relations industry.

Learn what type of educational background commands the highest public relations pay

Employers often ask for an undergraduate or graduate degree in public relations or journalism for management-level roles. Your degree curriculum should include courses in advertising, business administration, public affairs, public speaking, political science and creative and technical writing.

I recommend: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections lists preferred coursework for public relations jobs that can influence the salary for public relations. CNN's website includes an article that lists entry-level salaries for recent college graduates with degrees in several areas including public relations.

Know how other factors can impact PR salaries

Even if the job is exactly the same, where in the country you work may dictate different salary requirements. An entry-level position in San Francisco, for instance, may be different than the same position in Richmond, VA. Additionally, if you are hired by a PR giant, your salary may be much higher than if you go to work for a not-for-profit group like Meals on Wheels.

I recommend: PayScale's site begins with basic salary range information, then takes you step-by-step to include years of experience, area of the country and type of business to show you how the salary potential is altered. Vault provides information about public relations job salaries according to the company doing the hiring. You must have a paid membership to get access to more detailed information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Interviewing for a job, but not sure what sort of public relations salary to shoot for? Consider using a salary calculator that considers factors like region of the country, years of experience, etc., to provide you with median and average salary information.