According to research and sustained market dynamics, communication professionals are in demand, and leaders in the industry can command salaries that top $100,000.
For careers focused on areas ranging from outreach to customers, to developing communication strategy, to analyzing market trends, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average job growth from 2020 to 2030. The compensation source Payscale notes the median annual pay for leaders in communication roles such as communication director and public relations manager can reach six figures.
A master’s degree in communication management can prepare you to advance in many of the highest-paying communication jobs, including these top five:
- Communication director
- Public relations manager
- Brand strategist
- Media supervisor
- Account supervisor
5 Top-Paying Communication Jobs
Communication professionals create, edit, translate and share information through written, verbal and visual platforms. The communication jobs that Payscale ranks as the highest paying involve interaction with customers and the media as well as co-workers from a variety of departments. The work of top communication professionals can include:
- Overseeing the delivery of corporate messaging to the public
- Enhancing a company’s public image
- Identifying target markets and how best to connect with them
- Managing assignments and campaigns with the media
- Marketing products and services to match current and trending customers’ needs
Here are five of the highest-paying communication jobs.
Communication Director
Communication directors are senior-level employees who lead a company’s internal and external communication efforts, including marketing and public relations. They are often responsible for developing a company’s overall communication strategy, directing work such as writing press releases, planning conference presentations, managing members of a communications team and drafting public statements from company officials. Communication directors generally ensure an organization’s communications are in line with its established guidelines for representing the company.
Public Relations Manager
Public relations managers lead activities that aim to influence the public’s perception of a company. Whether through advising a company’s staff about how to work with the media or managing corporate events, these professionals work to enhance an organization’s image and attract business. They often supervise the work of other public relations staff and measure the effectiveness of public relations work. Public relations managers typically are the spokesperson for a company.
Brand Strategist
Brand strategists study the potential customers of a product or service and use their findings to help create marketing plans that influence the opinions and purchasing decisions of those customers. The plans promote solutions that the target market is seeking, in ways that are most likely to build people’s trust and interest. The ultimate goal is for customers to have a positive attitude about a company or product — and recommend it to those they know.
Media Supervisor
Media supervisors lead the development of digital and print materials to promote a company in the media. They typically identify opportunities to promote a company and its products and services in print and online publications, television and radio outlets, social media and beyond. Then they develop campaigns for placing stories and ads through those media channels. Media supervisors also often lead other communication professionals who are engaged in media relations work.
Account Supervisor
Account supervisors serve as liaisons between a company and its customers, addressing client inquiries and ensuring products and services meet customers’ needs. They also identify opportunities to market new products to customers based on their understanding of how those products might make clients’ lives easier. Account supervisors work to ensure an organization addresses client concerns by resolving conflicts, providing solutions and developing new products.
Top-Paying Communication Roles: Salaries and Job Outlook
The top 10% of earners (typically experienced professionals in leadership roles) in arts, design, entertainment, sports and media occupations was $122,420 or more in May 2021, according to the BLS. The median annual salary for all occupations the BLS tracks was $45,760.
The need for professionals to lead communication efforts will be strong between 2020 and 2030, the BLS projects. The Bureau predicts 14% job growth in media and communication roles, or about 151,500 new jobs. By comparison, the projected job growth for all occupations during that time is 8%. The broad variety of platforms in digital and print formats that will need content during that time period is part of what’s driving the strong demand.
While pay varies according to factors such as location, education and experience, the salaries that high-paying communication jobs can command are above average, ranging from around $65,000 to well into six figures.
Communication Director
According to Payscale, communication directors with 10 or more years of experience earned a median annual salary of about $89,000 in June 2022, and those with 20 or more years of experience had a median annual salary of about $99,000. Salaries for this role reached as high as about $137,000.
Communication directors in San Francisco, New York City and Boston earned well above the median annual salary, which was about $73,000. The median earnings of these professionals were 56%, 45% and 21% above the overall median pay for the role, respectively.
Public Relations Manager
The most recent salary information for advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations and sales managers from the BLS is for May 2021. These professionals had a median annual salary of $128,160, with the top 10% of earners receiving more than $208,000 in annual salary. Public relations managers in the following geographical locations had the highest median annual salaries:
- District of Columbia — $186,860
- New York — $160,720
- Massachusetts — $149,650
- California — $142,720
Another reason public relations managers might be considered among the highest-paying communication jobs is that many experienced professionals in this field start their own PR firms, putting their expertise to work for a variety of clients instead of a single employer. As entrepreneurs and business owners, their earnings derive from the success and revenues of their agency, which can reach millions of dollars per year.
Brand Strategist
Brand strategists with 10 or more years of experience earned median annual salaries of about $99,000 or more in June of 2022, according to Payscale. Top salaries overall were about $107,000.
In San Francisco, Seattle and New York City, salaries were well above the approximately $65,000 median annual pay for the job overall. San Francisco brand strategists’ median annual salary was about 56% higher than the overall median salary. In Seattle, the pay was 12% higher than the median and in New York City it was 8% higher.
Media Supervisor
Media supervisors with 10 or more years of experience earned median annual salaries of about $78,000 in June 2022, Payscale reports. Overall, salaries for this role were as high as $89,000.
Media supervisors in Seattle earned about 14% more than the median annual salary overall, which was about $75,000. In San Francisco, the pay was about 13% higher than the overall median and in Los Angeles, it was about 6% higher.
Account Supervisor
Account supervisors with 10 or more years of experience in July 2022 had a median annual pay of about $77,000, according to Payscale. Salaries overall reached as high as about $93,000.
The median pay for all account supervisors was approximately $76,000. For account supervisors working in San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles, median annual salaries were about 14%, 10% and 4% higher, respectively, than the overall median.
How to Prepare for the Highest-Paying Communication Jobs
Preparing for advancement in communication roles typically starts with earning a bachelor’s degree and then gaining experience as well as additional education and certifications. The path to roles in the highest-paying communication jobs generally includes the following elements.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in a communication–related discipline — such as English, journalism or advertising — can set the stage for a communication career. For many communication leadership roles, however, employers prefer or require a master’s degree. Communication management training that is focused on researching and analyzing trends and applying best practices can be an advantage for individuals seeking top roles in the communication industry.
Experience
Top-paying communication roles generally require several years of professional experience. Communication directors, for example, often have worked in the field for a decade or more. Roles such as marketing coordinator, content writer or news reporter can be helpful in gaining experience for advanced communication roles.
Skills
Education and experience can help those who aspire to high-level communication jobs gain beneficial skills and knowledge, including skills in:
- Written and verbal communication
- Copy editing
- Marketing
- Print and digital media literacy
- Leadership
- Market research
- Crisis management
Certification
Certification can provide employers with additional evidence of a candidate’s ability to land a high-level communication job. Among the common certifications for professional communicators are:
- Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) certification from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience, pass an exam and lead a panel presentation. Certification requires periodic renewal.
- Communication Management Professional (CMP) and Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP) certifications from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). CMP certification requires six to eight years of experience, and SCMP certification is for professionals with at least eight to 11 years of experience. Earning either certification requires passing an exam and both require renewals.
Advance Your Communication Career
The communication industry offers a variety of career opportunities, including many that are in high demand and provide strong salary growth potential.
The USC online Master of Communication Management degree program can prepare you for jobs whose salaries often are well above the median for all occupations — such as communication director, public relations manager, brand strategist, media supervisor and account supervisor. The program offers advanced education in communication strategies and practices, with a focus on the data analysis that is critical to many top roles in the field.
Explore online masters in Communication Management , and discover how it can help advance your communication career.
Recommended Readings
Is a Master of Communication Management Worth the Cost?
Master of Communication Management Salary and Job Outlook
Why Is Effective Communication Important to Career Success?
Sources:
Glassdoor, “The Best Jobs and Career Advice for Communications Majors”
Indeed, “Communications Director: Definition and How to Become One”
Indeed, “How to Become a Public Relations Manager in 6 Steps”
Indeed, “What is a PR Firm and What Does It Do?”
International Association of Business Communicators, Certification Programs
Payscale, Average Account Supervisor Salary
Payscale, Average Brand Strategist Salary
Payscale, Average Communications Director Salary
Payscale, Average Media Supervisor Salary
Payscale, Average Public Relations (PR) Manager Salary
Payscale, Best Jobs for Communications Majors by Salary Potential
Public Relations Society of America, “Power Up Your PRofessional Life”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Media and Communication Occupations
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Public Relations and Fundraising Managers