Here are some of the things we’re seeing now — and projecting will continue — in the communications industry for the remainder of 2019.
Strong Hiring Across the Board. The combination of a strong U.S. economy and the impact of the digital revolution has put candidates in the driver’s seat and challenged hiring managers. As agencies and corporations scramble to source digital savvy talent, they also continue to seek “earned media talent” for traditional media relations and earned social roles.
Trends in New Skills/New Titles. This year we see increasing demand for social media strategists, data analytics specialists, creative content producers and other digital roles. As agencies continue to refine and grow their integrated communications model, we are also seeing more and more specialist agencies that focus entirely on digital solutions. All of these changes have increased hiring as agencies and companies find their way in the digital world and struggle to compete.
High Demand = Higher Salaries = More Movement. High talent demands have led to higher salaries. Adding fuel to salary growth, several states are no longer allowing employers to ask candidates for their salary history in an effort to promote equal pay for women. This has spurred salary increases across the board. Overall, we’ve seen communications salaries bump up in the 7-10% range in most of our markets. Rockin’ It!
International Reach/Local Insights. PR Talent’s 2019 Salary Report focuses on major markets where we have boots-on-the-ground, PR industry-experienced recruiters. We know the salaries in these markets because we’re helping clients negotiate for top talent every day. Our recruiters are based in: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. We also have a deep talent pool covering the Asia Pacific region.
The salaries below are based on typical agency titles:
New York
- AAE $38 – 45K
- AE | $45 – 55K
- Sr. AE | $55 – 75K
- AS | $75 – 90K
- Sr. AS/Director | $90 – 120K
- VP | $120 – 150K
- SVP | $150 – 240K
- EVP | $225 – 290K
- Practice Leader: $225-290K
- GM | $350K ++
Washington DC
- AAE $40 – 45K
- AE | $45 – 55K
- Sr. AE | $50 – 65K
- AS | $75 – 90K
- Sr. AS/Director | $90 – 120K
- VP | $120 – 150K
- SVP | $150 – 180K
- EVP | $180 – 225K
- Practice Leader – $225 – 300K
- GM | $300K +
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 | $350K +
Minneapolis
- AAE | $35 – $43K
- AE | $43 – $50K
- Sr. AE | $50 – 65K
- AS | $65 – 80K
- Sr. AS/Director | $80 – 110K
- VP | $110 – $140K
- SVP | $140 – $190K
- EVP | $190 – $225K
- Practice Leader: $200-250K
- GM | $250K +
Los Angeles
- AAE | $38-42K
- AE | $43-55K
- Sr. AE | $55-70K
- AS | $70-90K
- Sr. AS / Director | $90-120K
- VP | $120-160K
- SVP | $160-210K
- EVP | $210-320K
- Practice Leader | $25-350K
- GM | $325K +
San Francisco
- AAE | $40 – $50K
- AE | $50 – $65K
- Sr. AE | $65 – $80K
- AS | $80 – $95K
- Sr AS/Director | $95 – $120K
- VP | $120 – $165K
- SVP $165 – $225K
- EVP $225 – $290K
- Practice Leader: $225-290K
- GM | $350K ++
Seattle
- AAE | $40 – $45K
- AE | $45 – $55K
- Sr. AE | $55 – 70K
- AS | $70 – 85K
- Sr. AS/Director | $85 – 100K
- VP | $100 – $125K
- SVP | $125 – $190K
- EVP | $190 – $250K
- Practice Leader: $225-290K
- GM | $250K +