Last year PR agency talent saw small increases in salary… especially at the high demand mid-level but this year should see a little more escalation especially when it comes to digital folks where demand is high and job movement is more dynamic. Clients are also feeling a little more flush with cash as budgets have been expanded.
With steady economic improvement, the demand for digital talent and demographic factors like retiring white-collar boomers, there is continued stress on the talent pool and pressure on salaries. In New York we’ve seen salaries begin to approach those in the Bay Area while other major markets like Southern California and Chicago are also seeing increases.
Below are the ranges our on-the-ground recruiters are seeing in NY, LA, SF and Chicago. This is not a scientific survey, but is derived from our extensive experience placing communications and PR talent in these markets for the past 17 years and apply mostly to large to mid-size national agencies.
New York
- AAE $38 – 44K
- AE | $45 – 58K
- Sr. AE | $56 – 70K
- AS | $70 – 90K
- Sr. AS/Director | $90 – 120K
- VP | $120 – 165K
- SVP | $165 – 240K
- EVP | $225 – 290K
- Practice Leader – $250 – 300K
- GM | $350K ++
Chicago
- AAE | $35 – $40K
- AE | $40 – $50K
- Sr. AE | $50 – 65K
- AS | $62 – 80K
- Sr. AS/Director | $80 – 110K
- VP | $110 – $135K
- SVP | $130 – $190K
- EVP | $190 – $250K
- Practice Leader – $225 – 290K
- GM | $300K +
San Francisco
- AAE | $38 – $45K
- AE | $45 – $55K
- Sr. AE | $55 – $75K
- AS | $75 – $95K
- Sr AS/Director | $95 – $120K
- VP | $120 – $165K
- SVP $165 – $225K
- EVP $225 – $290K
- Practice Leader – $250 – 300K
- GM | $350K ++
Los Angeles
- AAE | $35-40K
- AE | $40-52K
- Sr. AE | $52-65K
- AS | $65-80K
- Sr. AS / Director | $75-110K
- VP | $110-140K
- SVP | $140-200K
- EVP | $200-300K
- Practice Leader – $200 – 250K
- GM | $300K +