Public Relations Managers
Machines can already do 36% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 57%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Public Relations Managers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 36% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 23% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 57% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 74,850 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $146,910 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 74% for contact with people.
- Also called: Communications Director, Communications Manager, Community Relations Director, PR Director (Public Relations Director).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop new business opportunities | 11% | 10% to 27% | |
| Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff | 11% | 18% to 38% | |
| Write interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits, and develop and maintain company internet or intranet web pages | 10% | 71% to 82% | |
| Identify main client groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan | 9% | 78% to 97% | |
| Respond to requests for information about employers' activities or status | 7% | 25% to 50% | |
| Manage special events, such as sponsorship of races, parties introducing new products, or other activities the firm supports, to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly | 7% | 25% to 50% | |
| Draft speeches for company executives and arrange interviews and other forms of contact for them | 6% | 71% to 82% | |
| Direct activities of external agencies, establishments, or departments that develop and implement communication strategies and information programs | 6% | 10% to 27% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills public relations managers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Chief Communications Officers54% of tasks by 2035
- Event Hosts and Emcees56% of tasks by 2035
- Producers and Directors56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $90,360
- Motivational Speakers49% of tasks by 2035
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Public Relations Managers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of public relations managers?
Machines can do 36% of the tasks of public relations managers today and 57% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 11-2032.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Public Relations Managers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/public-relations-managers/