Employment of public relations managers and specialists is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow 23 percent during the same period, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations managers is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The trends affecting public relations specialists will also affect managers, as the increasing importance of public relations will require more managers to plan and direct public relations departments.
Organizations are increasingly emphasizing community outreach and customer relations as a way to enhance their reputation and visibility. Public opinion can change quickly, particularly because both good and bad news spreads rapidly through the Internet. Consequently, public relations specialists are expected to be needed to respond to news developments and maintain their organization’s reputation.
Increased use of social media also is expected to increase employment growth for public relations specialists. These new media outlets will create more work for public relations workers, increasing the number and kinds of avenues of communication between organizations and the public. Public relations specialists will be needed to help their clients use these new types of media effectively.
Employment is likely to grow in public relations firms as organizations contract out public relations services rather than support more full-time staff when additional work is needed.
In addition to job growth for other reasons, opportunities should come from the need to replace public relations managers and specialists who retire or leave the occupation.
Competition for entry-level jobs will likely be strong.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition