Public relations is the strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics. Calculating the precise number of people working in this field is difficult because the job function often overlaps with other communication and marketing roles. Many professionals perform classic public relations duties, such as reputation management and media relations, but carry different job titles, which complicates official occupational tallies. Assessing the workforce requires examining both the government’s narrow classification and the wider ecosystem of adjacent communication positions.
The Core Number of Public Relations Specialists
The most direct answer to the size of the public relations workforce comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program. According to May 2023 OES data, the official count for the occupation Public Relations Specialists is 275,550 people employed in the United States. This figure represents the formal, full-time equivalent employment across all industries, including agencies, corporations, non-profits, and government entities nationwide. The BLS data is collected from employer payroll records, providing a reliable baseline for workers whose primary professional duties fall under this specific classification. This number is considered the minimum size of the industry.
Understanding Who Is Included in the Official Count
The BLS classification for a Public Relations Specialist is narrowly focused on a specific set of activities, which explains the conservative official count. Professionals in this category promote or create a positive public image for their clients or organizations. Their typical duties include writing press releases, managing media relations, handling public information requests, and overseeing external communications. This definition emphasizes the core functions of public outreach and media placement. Because of this strict classification, many people who perform public relations tasks as part of a hybrid role are not counted, making the 275,550 figure a floor rather than a ceiling for the profession’s total size.
Adjacent Communication Roles and Estimated Total Workforce
A more complete picture of the workforce involved in strategic communications emerges by looking at closely related occupations. Many professionals classified elsewhere spend significant time on activities central to public relations, such as crafting messaging and managing public perception. The total number of people in the wider communications field is easily over two million, a figure that better reflects the scope of public relations work being performed across the economy.
Marketing Managers and Specialists
Marketing roles represent a substantial portion of this adjacent workforce, often blurring the line with public relations. The BLS counted 368,940 Marketing Managers as of May 2023, many of whom are involved in brand reputation and external messaging. Furthermore, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists is significantly larger, with 798,620 employed. Many of these professionals work on campaigns requiring coordinated external communications. These marketing professionals frequently manage public-facing campaigns and content that directly influences public perception, a traditional public relations concern.
Social Media Managers
Although the BLS groups Social Media Specialists within the broader Public Relations Specialist category, the role has developed into a distinct occupation tracked separately by industry sources. One estimate suggests there are over 27,243 Social Media Managers employed in the United States, focused on managing digital community and public engagement. This function, which involves two-way communication and reputation monitoring, underscores the expansion of public relations duties into digital channels. The growth of this specialized area highlights how the core functions of public relations are being distributed across new job titles.
Communications Directors
Senior-level roles that direct the overall communications strategy fall under the BLS category of Public Relations Managers. As of May 2023, there were 72,760 Public Relations Managers employed, a group that includes Communications Directors and other top executives responsible for an organization’s public image. These managers plan and coordinate activities to maintain a favorable public image, often supervising the specialists who execute the day-to-day public relations tasks. Their work ensures that all public-facing efforts align with the organization’s overarching strategic goals.
Key Demographics of the PR Workforce
The public relations profession is characterized by a high representation of women and a strong emphasis on formal education. Approximately 64% to 70% of the workforce is female, a gender ratio that has consistently defined the field. The workforce tends to have a median age of around 41 years old, indicating a blend of experienced professionals and newer entrants. A bachelor’s degree is the typical entry-level education requirement for specialists, with many holding degrees in communications, journalism, or public relations. Geographically, employment is often concentrated in major metropolitan areas with high business activity, such as New York, California, and the Washington, D.C. area.
Projected Growth and Future Outlook
The outlook for the public relations workforce suggests continued expansion, with job growth projected to outpace the average for all occupations. Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 6% over the decade between 2022 and 2032. This growth rate is driven by the increasing complexity of the media landscape and the heightened need for coordinated communication. Organizations are placing a greater value on professionals who can manage their reputation in a 24/7 news cycle and across diverse digital platforms. The expansion of digital communication and the persistent demand for effective crisis management are fueling this sustained need for skilled public relations professionals.