SOC 1133 Corporate managers and directors

Public relations and communications directors Salary

Median salary £72,020 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £72,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For public relations and communications directors, £72,887 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +87% versus the national average.

About this role

Public relations and communications directors develop and lead an organisation's reputation management, media relations, internal communications and stakeholder engagement strategies. They manage communications teams and ensure consistent messaging across all channels during both routine operations and crisis situations.

Key responsibilities

Developing corporate communications and PR strategy
Managing media relations and press office functions
Overseeing crisis communications planning and response
Leading internal communications and employee engagement
Managing communications teams, agencies and budgets

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in communications, PR, journalism or marketing, plus substantial senior experience. CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) chartership is the professional standard.

Career outlook

Steady demand. Digital communications, social media management and ESG reporting are expanding the scope of these roles.

Key skills

Strategic communications Media relations Crisis management Stakeholder engagement Content strategy

Common industries

Corporate communications
Public sector
Agencies
Financial services
Healthcare

Data coverage

SOC code 1133

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Median Salary

£72,020

Mean Salary

£80,842

Jobs (000s)

N/A

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £54,955Median: £72,020

P10: --P25: £55kMedian: £72kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£54,955

0-2 years

Mid Level

£54,955

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +34.4%Real growth: +8.7%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£72,020

Full-time Only

£72,887

Full-time premium: +£867

Public relations and communications directors salary: common questions

How much do public relations and communications directors earn in the UK?

Public relations and communications directors earn a median of £72,887 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £72,887 a good salary in the UK?

For public relations and communications directors, £72,887 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +87% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for public relations and communications directors?

Entry-level public relations and communications directors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £54,955, though this varies by employer and region.

Have public relations and communications directors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median public relations and communications directors pay has risen from £58,562 to £72,887 — +24% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).