Communications Salary

The range and salary of jobs related to communications is as broad and as varied as the jobs themselves. Because communications is frequently associated with public relations, coursework in both areas would be beneficial. Starting salaries for majors in communications can be slightly higher than for other entry-level jobs in business and industry. An hourly wage for a communications degree could be as high as $25, while the national average for general business majors runs approximately $17.

At the high end, average salaries for communications graduates are in the $50,000 range. The middle 50 percent earns between $38,000 and $71,500, the lowest 10 percent earns less than $30,000, and the top 10 percent earns more than $97,000. A typical starting salary, depending on the venue you are hired in, could be in the $30,000–$35,000 range.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, communications-related wages by industry are as follows:

Management level $55,500 and up
Business, professional, labor or political organizations $55,000
Advertising, public relations and related services $55,000
Local government $50,000
Colleges, universities and professional schools $45,000