How to Make Money with a Communications Degree: 13 Hot Jobs

Are you working toward a degree in communications, or maybe thinking about getting one, but not sure what to do with it? You've come to the right place! A bachelor's degree in communications is a really versatile degree that prepares you for work in a lot of different sectors. The best-paying jobs tend to involve advertising and sales, but you can still expect to make around $50,000-60,000 a year in more traditional writing and editing jobs. Read on to discover the hottest jobs for communications majors, ranked from highest to lowest 2021 median annual wage reported by the US Bureau of Labor Services (BLS).

Things You Should Know

  • Use a communications degree to get jobs in advertising, public relations, and journalism.
  • Boost your résumé with training in adjacent areas, such as web design if you want to be an editor.
  • Specialize in a particular niche, such as fashion or sports, to build expertise in that industry and improve your marketability.
1

Advertising account manager ($133,380)

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    Create and present advertising campaigns for corporate clients.[1] The advertising industry has always had a glamorous reputation, making this one of the top career paths for communications majors. Create and produce advertising campaigns in a fast-paced atmosphere, then present your ideas to your client. Bonuses and commissions boost the base pay of this job—and then there are the perks, like star-studded nights out, tickets to hot events, and discounts at major retailers.
    • Outlook: Expected to grow 10% from 2020-2030, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations; competition is quite stiff due to attractive income potential and perks.
    • Résumé boosters: Creative background or experience; experience as a content writer; training or experience in graphic design; retail sales experience
    2. Advertisement
2

Brand manager ($72,782)

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    A brand manager helps a company build and protect its brand.[2] Brand managers are specialized marketing managers who control and manage the way a company's trademarks are used. As a brand manager, you'll make extensive use of marketing research that analyzes consumer attitudes toward the brand name so you can enhance the brand's reputation.
    • Outlook: Along with marketing managers generally, expected to grow 10% from 2020-2030.[3]
    • Résumé boosters: Coursework in intellectual property and trademarks, training or certification in analytics, internships or other experience that focuses on brand management
3

Marketing research analyst ($63,920)

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    Analyze market data to improve sales of a product or service.[4] As more industries use data and market research to improve their sales, demand grows for people who analyze that data. As a market research analyst, you collect and analyze large pools of data to gain insight into consumer preferences and behaviors that can help your employer's business.
    • Outlook: Expected to grow 22% from 2020-2030, which is much higher than the average for all occupations.[5]
    • Résumé boosters: Courses or work experience in marketing, an MBA, courses in statistics and analytics, certification from the Marketing Research Association
    2. Advertisement
4

Editor ($63,350)

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    Revise and polish written material for publication.[6] As an editor, you work for a print or digital publications to solicit pieces from writers and get them ready for publication. You might also be in charge of page layout or web design, depending on the publication you work for.
    • Outlook:The growth rate is 5% from 2020-2030, which is a bit slower than the average across all occupations. The increasing decline of print publications is partly to blame for this.[7]
    • Résumé boosters: Experience working for a school newspaper; strong time-management skills; expertise in a specific niche or field, such as fashion or sports; internship at a magazine or newspaper; training or certification in web design, social media, SEO, or multimedia
5

Sales representative ($62,890)

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    Sell goods and services to businesses as a B2B sales rep.[8] As a communications major, you likely learned a lot about the art of persuasion, which is what makes you a good fit for a sales rep position. At this level, you're selling manufacturing or wholesale products and services to other businesses, often by making presentations to executives.
    • Outlook: The expected growth rate of 5% from 2020-2030 is a little slower than the average for all occupations.[9]
    • Résumé boosters: Retail sales experience, proficiency in 1 or more foreign languages, knowledge or education in a related field (such as medical training if you're selling medical products)
    2. Advertisement
6

Public relations (PR) specialist ($62,800)

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    Work in PR to protect the public reputation of individuals or businesses.[10] As a PR specialist, you manage media requests, write press releases, and help an individual or business promote their name and brand. Depending on your client, you might also do conflict resolution and reputation management.
    • Outlook: PR jobs are expected to grow 11% from 2020-2030, which is higher than the average for all occupations.[11]
    • Résumé boosters: Courses or work experience in brand management and social media, an internship with public relations firm or press office of a company or organization
7

Human Resources (HR) specialist ($62,290)

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    HR specialists handle employment issues company-wide.[12] As a human resources specialist, you'd recruit and interview job applicants. You'd likely also be involved in training new hires. Employees count on you to explain company policies and benefits, help resolve conflicts between managers and co-workers, and handle scheduling problems.
    • Outlook: HR jobs are expected to grow 10% from 2020-2030, which is about average for all occupations.[13]
    • Résumé boosters: Coursework in psychology or human resources management, certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or the Human Resources Certification Institute
    2. Advertisement
8

Content manager ($61,153)

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    Write, edit, and organize content for websites.[14] As a content manager, you typically work with a team of writers to produce articles, listicles, and other content for a website. Your duties include writing, editing, managing other writers, setting schedules and deadlines, and producing content.
    • Outlook: The BLS groups content managers with editors generally. The expected growth for editors is 5% from 2020-2030, which is slower than average. However, that rate also includes print media, which is on the decline.[15]
    • Résumé boosters: Experience as a writer or editor, such as work on a student publication or as a freelance content writer; web design training or experience; training or certification in analytics and SEO
9

Fundraiser ($60,660)

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    Help raise money for political campaigns or nonprofit organizations.[16] Politicians running for office and nonprofit organizations have one thing in common—they both need to raise a lot of money to stay afloat. That's where you come in! As a fundraiser, you maintain relationships with existing donors and forge new relationships with potential ones. You'll likely also coordinate with other departments to plan events and fundraising drives.
    • Outlook: Expected to grow 16% from 2020-2030, which is about twice the average for all occupations.[17]
    • Résumé boosters: Experience as a volunteer fundraiser for local political campaigns or organizations
    2. Advertisement
10

Social media manager ($52,981)

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    Manage an organization's social media accounts.[18] These management professionals communicate with the public on behalf of an organization through that organization's social media accounts. Your work might include everything from planning and executing advertising campaigns to responding to customer complaints. Often, you're responsible for the "voice" of the organization on social media.
    • Outlook: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups social media managers with other public relations specialists.[19] That category generally is expected to grow 11% from 2020-2030.[20]
    • Résumé boosters: Training or experience using social media management tools, courses or experience in graphic design, certifications in Google analytics and search engine optimization (SEO), a strong personal brand and social media presence
11

Digital media specialist ($49,482)

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    Make videos and other digital media for corporations or nonprofits.[21] If you enjoy making graphics and videos, this is a good career path for you. Digital media specialists work with online marketing campaigns and projects, analyzing web traffic and engagement so they can improve reach and market penetration.
    • Outlook: The BLS indicates little to no growth in this sector, so you can expect competition for open positions to be pretty stiff.[22]
    • Résumé boosters: Certifications in Google analytics and SEO; training or experience in graphic design, video editing, and video production; a strong portfolio of videos you've produced
    2. Advertisement
12

Event planner ($49,470)

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    Plan and organize corporate or political events.[23] Event planners typically work for event planning agencies that specialize in planning and facilitating events for corporate and political clients. You'll do everything from lining up vendors and caterers to securing venues and other services. You need to be skilled in logistics and organization to ensure the events you plan go off without a hitch.
    • Outlook: Expected to grow 18% from 2020-2030, about double the average for all occupations[24]
    • Résumé boosters: Any certifications relevant to your particular areas of expertise, experience in planning or logistics, volunteer experience with a political campaign or nonprofit organization
13

Journalist ($48,370)

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    Investigate and report news stories.[25] Journalism might be the first career people think of when they hear you're a communications major. Unfortunately, it's also one of the lowest paying careers out there for a communications major. Passion and enthusiasm are assets if you want to work in this high-pressure, stressful field. If you're committed to the truth, you'll find journalism fulfilling.
    • Outlook: Expected to grow 18% from 2020-2030, about double the average for all occupations. This might seem surprising, but much of this growth stems from recovery after the COVID-19 recession—expect competition to be fierce, especially for well-paying positions.[26]
    • Résumé boosters: Experience as a journalist for a high school or college newspaper, TV, or radio station; internship experience at a news organization
    2. Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm#tab-1
  2. ↑ https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Brand_Manager/Salary
  3. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm#tab-6
  4. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm
  5. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm#tab-6
  6. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/editors.htm#tab-1
  7. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/editors.htm#tab-6
  8. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/wholesale-and-manufacturing-sales-representatives.htm
  9. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/wholesale-and-manufacturing-sales-representatives.htm#tab-6
  1. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm#tab-5
  2. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm#tab-6
  3. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm#tab-6
  5. ↑ https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Content_Manager/Salary
  6. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/editors.htm#tab-6
  7. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/fundraisers.htm
  8. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/fundraisers.htm#tab-6
  9. ↑ https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Social_Media_Manager/Salary
  10. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/youre-a-what/social-media-specialist.htm
  11. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm#tab-6
  12. ↑ https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Digital_Media_Specialist/Salary
  13. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm#Arts,%20design,%20entertainment,%20sports,%20and%20media%20occupations
  14. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm
  15. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm#tab-6
  16. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/reporters-correspondents-and-broadcast-news-analysts.htm
  17. ↑ https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm#tab-6

About This Article

Jessica Villegas
Co-authored by:
Jessica Villegas
Certified Academic Life Coach
This article was co-authored by Jessica Villegas and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jessica Villegas is a Certified Academic Life Coach and the Founder of Hi-Lite Coaching + Consulting in Winter Garden, Florida. Jessica has over 20 years of leadership experience, and she and her team serve teens and young adults through private coaching, group coaching, workshops, and speaking engagements. She uses workbook exercises, coaching planners, and regular check-ins to support young adults in achieving their academic and personal goals. Jessica received her Bachelor’s in Organizational Communications and Leadership Studies from the University of Central Florida and her Professional Coaching certification through Coach Training EDU, an ICF Accredited Institution, as an Academic Life Coach. This article has been viewed 2,436 times.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: October 27, 2022
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Categories: Career Planning
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