Job title · SOC 27-3031

Public Information Officer

Overview

Sourced

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

O*NET definition of Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

52,820

in government (SOC 27-3031)

19%

of this occupation works for government

$78,310

median pay in government

Federal · State · Local

levels of government

Titles employers use

Communications SpecialistPublic Affairs SpecialistPublic Information OfficerPublic Relations Specialist (PR Specialist)Community Relations CoordinatorCorporate Communications SpecialistInformation and Communications SpecialistMedia Relations SpecialistPublic Information SpecialistPublic Relations Coordinator (PR Coordinator)

How people usually get in Editorial

communications degree. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 27-3031)

Education needed to enter: Bachelor's degree
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: None

Education workers say the job requires

Bachelor's Degree

91%

Master's Degree

Share of surveyed workers in Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031) naming each level as required to be hired, 22 respondents, O*NET survey August 2022. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

How to get hired

Sourced

Public relations specialists typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Public Relations Specialists”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 27-3031: None

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Considerable Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Civil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

Trainee / Assistant
Level I
Level II (journey)
Level III / Senior
Lead / Principal
Supervisor
Manager
Director / Division Chief

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

$115,210

State

$68,620

Local

$76,820

All government

$78,310

Private sector

$73,800

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	6,640	$76,670	$92,660	$115,210	$140,670	$161,470
State	21,090	$47,700	$57,020	$68,620	$85,660	$106,160
Local	25,090	$47,350	$60,560	$76,820	$96,700	$115,050
All government	52,820	$48,630	$61,380	$78,310	$100,080	$126,230
Private sector	230,560	$43,260	$55,080	$73,800	$100,500	$138,200

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Public Information Officer in 28 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Alabama	Public Information Spec(T) 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department	$38,189 – $70,392
Arizona	Public Information Officer 2–4 4 classes · effective July 9, 2022 · Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division	$40,496 – $87,570
Arkansas	Public Information Specialist, Public Information Coordinator 2 classes · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management	$52,137 – $84,879
Delaware	Public Information Officer 1 class · effective July 12, 2026 · Delaware Department of Human Resources, Classification and Compensation	$42,493 – $63,739
Florida	Public Information Specialist II, Public Information Specialist - Ses, Public Information Specialist II- Ses 5 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management	$36,317 – $86,852
Georgia	Communications Spec 1–4, Communications Spec 1 Non Exempt, Communications Spec 2 Non Exempt, +2 more 8 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$35,619 – $81,720
Hawaii	Public Information Officer 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD)	$74,652 – $106,260
Idaho	Public Information Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Information Officer Senior 3 classes · effective June 8, 2025 · Idaho Division of Human Resources	$44,200 – $128,586
Illinois	Public Information Coordinator, Public Information Officer III–IV 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Illinois Department of Central Management Services	$73,620 – $132,912
Indiana	Communications Specialist 4, Communications Spec 3, Communications Consultant 4 classes · Indiana State Personnel Department	$42,900 – $92,690
Louisiana	Public Information Officer 1–3 3 classes · effective March 3, 2025 · Louisiana Department of State Civil Service	$37,523 – $90,210
Maryland	Pub Affairs Specialist 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM)	$52,354 – $82,572
Massachusetts	Public Information Officer 1 class · effective July 12, 2026 · Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD)	$103,430 – $150,776
Michigan	Communications Specialist-2, Communications Specialist-3, Communications Specialist-4 3 classes · effective October 1, 2026 · Michigan Civil Service Commission	$68,536 – $125,299
Minnesota	Communications Specialist 1–4 4 classes · effective July 2, 2026 · Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)	$55,931 – $112,840
Nevada	Public Information Officer I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$64,415 – $104,713
New Jersey	Public Information Officer, Public Information Specialist 2–4 3 classes · effective December 23, 2006 · New Jersey Civil Service Commission	$62,091 – $86,926
New York	Communications Specialist 1–2, Public Information Specialist 1–2, Assnt Public Information Officer 6 classes · effective April 1, 2026 · New York State Department of Civil Service	$52,694 – $114,585
Ohio	Public Information Specialist, Public Information Officer 1–2 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation	$55,203 – $108,722
Oklahoma	Public Information Officer I–III 3 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management	$27,827 – $140,961
Oregon	Public Affairs Specialist 1–3 3 classes · Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office – Classification & Compensation	$46,980 – $149,088
South Carolina	Communications Specialist I–III, Public Information Coordinator I–II 5 classes · South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources	$26,928 – $78,540
South Dakota	Communications Specialist, Public Information Officer 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes	$40,082 – $111,987
Tennessee	Communications Specialist-Int, Communications Specialist-Adv 2 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Tennessee Department of Human Resources	$43,572 – $81,900
Utah	Communications Specialist, SITLA, Communications Specialist, Career Service Exempt, Public Information Officer II, Auditor's Office, +4 more 8 classes · effective June 21, 2025 · Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM)	$51,418 – $138,258
Washington	Communications Specialist - Transportation, Communications Consultant 1–5 6 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Human Resources	$39,924 – $133,200
West Virginia	Public Information Specialist 1–3 3 classes · effective August 24, 2024 · West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel	$32,862 – $68,582
Wisconsin	Communications Specialist, Communications Specialist-Senior, Communications Specialist-Adv 3 classes · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management	$36,234 – $135,054

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 28 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

68%

Irregular

32%

Seasonal

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

40 hours

36%

More than 40 hours

64%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2022). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.4.5
Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.4.4
Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.4.4
Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.4.4
Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.4.2
Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.4.2
Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.4.1
Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.4.1
Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders' reports, for internal or external audiences.3.9
Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.3.9

The 10 most important of 15 core tasks for Public Relations Specialists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2022.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
District of Columbia	16,720	$64,260	$102,740	$202,170
Washington	6,430	$60,760	$87,470	$136,020
California	32,710	$49,550	$85,030	$160,520
Connecticut	1,910	$51,410	$84,990	$162,280
New York	28,250	$51,730	$81,250	$157,610
Colorado	7,410	$51,710	$80,680	$139,040
Virginia	9,990	$46,840	$80,380	$162,050
New Jersey	4,980	$49,820	$80,130	$138,190
Massachusetts	6,760	$51,710	$79,660	$139,240
Maryland	4,190	$42,060	$79,560	$147,220
Rhode Island	1,140	$47,750	$77,540	$129,360
Illinois	6,200	$47,690	$76,380	$139,570
Delaware	930	$43,720	$76,120	$126,290
Oregon	4,510	$45,190	$74,900	$123,880
Nevada	1,600	$44,710	$73,840	$120,160
New Hampshire	1,140	$50,430	$73,280	$122,390
Georgia	6,860	$43,590	$73,200	$128,190
North Dakota	640	$47,980	$70,280	$100,710
Alaska	640	$45,140	$70,050	$117,210
New Mexico	1,130	$43,080	$68,700	$123,110
Minnesota	8,260	$42,220	$68,620	$111,180
Wyoming	480	$50,430	$67,490	$115,210
Wisconsin	4,410	$44,790	$67,240	$105,970
North Carolina	9,910	$39,840	$67,230	$136,450
Arizona	5,350	$45,080	$66,710	$111,220
Vermont	1,260	$45,330	$66,060	$101,520
Michigan	7,510	$38,560	$65,300	$117,290
Texas	25,220	$39,840	$65,160	$109,640
Arkansas	980	$39,170	$65,000	$137,190
Oklahoma	2,280	$39,380	$64,920	$113,780
Indiana	3,750	$42,060	$64,900	$105,580
Kansas	2,340	$39,820	$64,860	$105,500
Ohio	6,670	$41,540	$64,840	$121,460
South Dakota	210	$48,460	$64,520	$102,480
Hawaii	1,800	$42,070	$63,880	$104,240
Montana	1,760	$43,770	$63,780	$96,050
Florida	17,820	$37,000	$63,660	$115,680
Iowa	2,890	$38,890	$62,970	$104,700
South Carolina	2,950	$38,920	$62,730	$143,940
Utah	1,800	$41,410	$62,670	$119,270
Maine	1,400	$38,890	$62,450	$100,770
Nebraska	1,590	$41,490	$61,780	$93,990
Alabama	2,410	$39,320	$61,710	$111,970
Missouri	4,820	$38,490	$61,130	$102,850
Idaho	1,220	$36,580	$61,110	$101,890
Tennessee	3,380	$37,450	$60,900	$98,370
Louisiana	1,710	$38,640	$60,470	$98,610
Kentucky	2,580	$37,190	$60,150	$103,530
Mississippi	950	$38,630	$59,810	$96,690
Pennsylvania	11,180	$32,810	$57,460	$102,330
West Virginia	350	$39,720	$56,730	$103,380

51 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyAdministration, Finance & IT

LevelFederal, State, Local

Pay structureCivil-service class series

Occupation code27-3031 Public Relations Specialists

PreparationConsiderable Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

Alabama State Personnel Department — Alabama Merit Semi-Monthly Compensation Plan (effective 09/01/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Alabama state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arizona Department of Administration, Human Resources Division — Arizona State Personnel System Job Titles with Pay Ranges and Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arizona state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management — Arkansas Executive Branch Pay Tables and Class Code List

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Arkansas state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Delaware Department of Human Resources, Classification and Compensation — Delaware classification plan (class report) and FY2027 pay grade tables

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of Delaware government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management — Florida State Personnel System — Broadband Crosswalk (September 2026), Pay Grades and Broadband Pay Ranges (July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Florida state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation — Georgia State Salary Plans (SWD and LAW) with Job Profiles — September 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Georgia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) — Hawaii Compensation Plans and Bargaining Unit Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of Hawaiʻi government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Idaho Division of Human Resources — Idaho State Classifications and FY 2026–2027 Salary Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Idaho state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Illinois Department of Central Management Services — Illinois CMS Alphabetic Index of Position Titles (FY 2027, effective July 1, 2026, corrected edition)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Illinois state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Louisiana Department of State Civil Service — Louisiana State Civil Service Pay Plan (Public Version) and Pay Schedules AS, MS, PS, SS, TS, WS

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Louisiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) — Maryland State Salary Plan (title order) and FY 2027 salary schedules (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Maryland state government publication, DBM); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Human Resources Division (HRD) — Massachusetts Executive Branch Bargaining Unit Job Codes and Salary Charts

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Massachusetts government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Michigan Civil Service Commission — Michigan Civil Service Commission Compensation Plan, Sections A (Alphabetic List of Pay Ranges) and B (Numeric List of Pay Ranges)

Official source · data captured October 1, 2026 · Public record (State of Michigan government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Nevada Department of Administration, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Nevada Classified Service — Class Specifications and Compensation Schedules (Pay Policy 01 EE/ER and 06), effective July 1, 2026

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (Nevada state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Jersey Civil Service Commission — New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of New Jersey government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New York State Department of Civil Service — New York State Title and Salary Plan (Title and Salary Listing) and negotiating-unit salary schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Title listing: OPEN-NY Terms of Use (data.ny.gov) — free use for any lawful purpose, no attribution or share-alike required; salary schedules and title file on cs.ny.gov: public record (New York State government publications); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation — Ohio State Classification Plan — Pay Range Booklet and Pay Range Schedules (rates effective July 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Ohio state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management — Oklahoma Pay Structures for State Employees (effective 08/30/2026) and OMES Job Catalog

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oklahoma state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Chief Human Resources Office – Classification & Compensation — Oregon Classification and Compensation: Job Profiles and Monthly Salary Rates by Representation

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Oregon state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources — South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes — South Dakota Class Code Master and FY27 Pay Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Dakota state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Indiana State Personnel Department — State of Indiana Job Code Listing (August 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Indiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) — State of Minnesota Salary Plan — Classifications and Salary Ranges (report LR0067)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public data (Minnesota state government publication, MMB); facts republished with a link to the source

Tennessee Department of Human Resources — Tennessee DOHR Alpha Comp Plan (September 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Tennessee state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Utah Department of Government Operations, Division of Human Resource Management (DHRM) — Utah DHRM Public Job Descriptions: job salary ranges

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Utah state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Human Resources — Washington Classified Job Listing and OFM Salary Schedules (effective July 1, 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Washington state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel — West Virginia Division of Personnel — Schedule of Salary Grades 2-26 (effective August 24, 2024) and Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public information (West Virginia state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management — Wisconsin Alphabetical Listing of Classifications and 2025-2027 Compensation Plan Pay Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Wisconsin state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobs Wiki — editorial structure and wording

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed October 1, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

Public Information Officer

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected