Public Relations Specialist

O*NET: Public Relations Specialists·27-3031.00

The Verdict:Public relations relies on writing press materials, social posts, and research that AI handles effectively today. Human strengths in stakeholder relationships, crisis coordination, and strategic coaching persist but shrink as AI analytics and drafting tools advance. The role faces restructuring with fewer specialists needed for routine communications over the next decade.

Resilience Score

/100

Moderate Risk

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$70k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+4.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 5 of 18 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

28%

Low exposure

Task Analysis

Most of this role rewards AI fluency.
50% of tasks (9 of 18) become more productive with AI tools — learning to use them is the highest-leverage career move.

Read the action plan for high-risk roles

5exposed

9AI leverage

4human-essential

View all 18 tasks

AI Can Handle This5 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.

Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.

Prepare or edit organizational publications, such as employee newsletters or stockholders' reports, for internal or external audiences.

Plan or conduct market or public opinion research to test products or determine potential for product success, communicating results to client or management.

Purchase advertising space or time as required to promote client's product or agenda.

AI Leverage9 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.

Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.

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.

Arrange public appearances, lectures, contests, or exhibits for clients to increase product or service awareness or to promote goodwill.

Develop plans or materials to communicate organizational activities that are beneficial to the environment, public safety, or other important social issues.

Confer with production or support personnel to produce or coordinate production of advertisements or promotions.

Consult with advertising agencies or staff to arrange promotional campaigns in all types of media for products, organizations, or individuals.

Prepare or deliver speeches to further public relations objectives.

Develop marketing campaigns for environmental technologies or services.

Human Advantage4 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.

Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.

Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.

Coordinate public responses to environmental management incidents or conflicts.

Resilience Landscape

Public Relations Specialist lands in Well-Paid, High Risk

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