Career comparison
Communications Professor vs. Public Relations Specialist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Communications professors earn more at the median ($78,580 vs. $74,750), while public relations specialists usually get to work faster (4 years of training). Communications professors teach public speaking, media and how people communicate. Public relations specialists shape and protect the public image of organizations and people.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Communications Professor | Public Relations Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,580 | $74,750 ($35.94/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,590 – $143,720 | $44,110 – $135,150 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.1% (slower than average) | +1.8% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 2,400 | 23,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s | 4 years |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in communication | Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, media labs and offices.. | PR specialists work in offices or remotely, with events and media appearances.. |
What each job does
Communications Professor
- Teach communications courses
- Coach public speaking
- Advise student media
- Conduct research
- Mentor students
Public Relations Specialist
- Write press releases and statements
- Pitch stories to journalists
- Manage social media and website content
- Prepare spokespeople for interviews
- Plan events and announcements
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, creative work, desk work, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as presence and communication.
Which should you choose?
Choose communications professor if…
- I love public speaking
- I follow media closely
- I give good feedback
Choose public relations specialist if…
- I love writing
- I enjoy building relationships
- I stay calm in a crisis
Still torn? Take the Communications Professor fit quiz and the Public Relations Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, communications professor or public relations specialist?
Communications Professors earn more at the median: $78,580 versus $74,750 for public relations specialists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Public Relations Specialists typically train faster (4 years) than communications professors (5–7 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects communications professors to grow +2.1% from 2025–35, compared with +1.8% for public relations specialists.