Median pay: $55,200
Top pay: $87,900
10-year job growth: 24%
Total jobs: 50,000
The job:
You'll develop strategies to influence public opinion or promote ideas, products and services. The emergence of social media as a PR tool is fueling demand, as is the need for businesses to stand out in a tough economic environment. Many PR specialists work on a contract basis or run their own shops, allowing them to set their own schedules and take on as much work as they want.
How to switch:
A background in a related field, such as journalism or marketing, will help you land work, as will experience and contacts in the particular industry you're targeting -- be it health care, technology or elsewhere.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
B |
C |
B |
By Heather Muse and Donna Rosato
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