The Average Salary of a Public Affairs Specialist
A public affairs specialist, also referred to as a public relations specialist, is a professional who promotes an organization's reputation to a targeted public audience. The job title of public affairs specialist is often affiliated with local, state or federal government agencies. These professionals use a variety of outlets such as events, press releases and marketing materials to promote an organization. Average salaries for this occupation vary based on a number of factors.
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Qualifications
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Most employers require a bachelor's degree for this occupation. PayScale reported those with a bachelor of arts in communications earned average salaries ranging from $29,479 to $53,730 per year. Those with a bachelor of arts in journalism earned average salaries ranging from $32,556 to $46,675 per year, and those with a bachelor of arts in public relations earned average salaries ranging from $35,608 to $44,451 per year.
Overall Average
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Public affairs specialists often receive a base salary, bonuses and profit sharing. The average base salary ranged from $34,648 to $51,365 per year. Average bonuses ranged from $512 to $3,500 per year, and average profit sharing ranged from $786 to $2,238 per year. The total compensation ranged from $34,295 to $52,046 per year based on 760 individuals in this occupation reporting their wages to Payscale.
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Industries
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Popular employers for public affairs specialists include public relations, marketing and special events, health care, education, military and government. The highest salaries were reported with the government, where public affairs specialists earned average salaries ranging from $37,330 to $53,473 per year. The health care industry paid average salaries ranging from $34,971 to $49,994 per year, and the education sector paid average salaries ranging from $34,297 to $48,941 per year.
Experience
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Public affairs specialists can increase their salary as they gain professional experience. A large majority (54 percent) reported having between one and four years of experience, and earned average salaries ranging from $32,231 to $45,393 per year. Those with five to nine years of experience earned average salaries ranging from $40,500 to $58,515 per year, and those with over 10 years of experience earned average salaries ranging from $43,959 to $74,189 per year.
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