No matter what industry you work in, there are different levels requiring different skills and abilities. The more skills, experience, and ability you bring to the table, the more you can request for income and benefits. But, when you are first starting in an industry, you can do your future self a lot of good if you research your options. Even if you accept a lower pay rate, working at a firm gaining actual experience from the beginning is preferred to spending the first year being a gopher. It is worth the lower pay in the long run so long as you can meet your financial requirements. Consider more than the wage and “benefits” being offered. Look at the possibilities of mentors, real experience, connections with clients and coworkers, and upward growth available within that company as well. Salaries and benefits are often based on supply and demand in particular locations and specialty areas. So those beginning in the PR world as entry-level or intern positions receive the lowest pay scale, but some locations still pay quite well because of a high demand for workers. Even with that, the average income of a new PR Specialist is lower than many creative jobs, such as art directors and architects. However, if you have an affinity for PR work and are creative, your chances of moving up the ranks are good and probably achieved faster than in those other creative jobs. And if you are a woman, it’s a great field, fully 75% of the specialists and higher are women in the world of public relations.
