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VP of Communications Salary in the United States

How much does a VP of Communications make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a VP of Communications in the United States is $243,257 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $117.

However, a VP of Communications's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $274,212
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $219,656 to $259,460
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $198,169
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence VP of Communications Salaries

A VP of Communications's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects VP of Communications Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a VP of Communications's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Communications Representative IV (7+ years): $117,804
  • Communications Representative V (7-10 years): $153,623
  • Communications Manager (10+ years): $122,370
  • Communications Director (10+ years): $180,849
  • VP of Communications (10+ years): $243,257
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Communications Representative IV7+ years$117,804
Communications Representative V7-10 years$153,623
Communications Manager10+ years$122,370
Communications Director10+ years$180,849
VP of Communications10+ years$243,257
View as Graph

How Do VP of Communications Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract VP of Communications. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $269,334.
  • California: $268,312.
  • Massachusetts: $264,737.

Top Paying Cities for VP of Communications

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $306,820
  • San Francisco: $303,461
  • Oakland: $297,065

What Skills Can Increase a VP of Communications's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 6% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Bond (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Bonds are issued by borrowers to raise money from investors willing to lend them money for a certain amount of time.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 6%
Bond 2.48%
Microsoft Office 2.07%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a VP of Communications's salary.

  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Industry Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CPR $299,206
23%
CAD $274,880
13%
Industry Knowledge $270,015
11%
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VP of Communications Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

VP of Communications salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $272,312. While startup companies pay approximate $230,370.

VP of Communications Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $230,370
Growth Stage 51~500 $243,643
Established 501~5000 $262,966
Enterprise 5000+ $272,312

VP of Communications Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For VP of Communications roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, VP of Communications positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Communications as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a VP of Communications

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$291,908$140.020%
Software & Networking$279,746$134.015%
Chemicals$267,583$129.010%
Financial Services$267,583$129.010%
Telecom$267,583$129.010%

How Education impacts an VP of Communications's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many VP of Communications enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an VP of Communications with a Bachelor's Degree is between $222,799 and $240,015.

VP of Communications Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for VP of Communications
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 3.6%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 51.9%
Masters 37.2%
Doctorate 4.2%
View as Graph

VP of Communications Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a VP of Communications's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$219,656
Average $243,257/year
$259,460
$18,305
Average $20,271/month
$21,622
$4,224
Average $4,678/week
$4,990
$106
Average $117/hour
$125
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $259,460 $21,622 $4,990 $125
Average $243,257 $20,271 $4,678 $117
25th Percentile $219,656 $18,305 $4,224 $106

Most common benefits for VP of Communications

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for VP of Communications

Here are companies hiring for VP of Communications and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about VP of Communications

1. Where can a VP of Communications earn the most?

A VP of Communications's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a VP of Communications earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a VP of Communications is $306,820.

2. What is the highest pay for VP of Communications?

The highest pay for VP of Communications is $274,212.

3. What is the lowest pay for VP of Communications?

The lowest pay for VP of Communications is $198,169.

4. What are the responsibilities of VP of Communications?

Oversees an organization's internal and external communications strategies and programs. Plans and directs communications programs that effectively describe and promote the organization and its products. Oversees market or public opinion research to assess program outcomes. Approves promotional campaign ideas in various types of media. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for VP of Communications?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for VP of Communications roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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