As of April 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Communications Manager in the United States is $59, which translates to an annual salary of about $122,352.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Communications Manager'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Communications Manager'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Representative IV | 7+ years | $117,784 |
| Communications Representative V | 7-10 years | $153,628 |
| Communications Manager | 10+ years | $122,352 |
| Communications Director | 10+ years | $180,820 |
| VP of Communications | 10+ years | $243,122 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Communications Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 7.72% |
| Strategic Communication | 3.02% |
| Executive Communications | 1.24% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Consulting
|
$133,364 |
9%
|
|
Executive Communications
|
$128,470 |
5%
|
|
Employee Engagement
|
$127,246 |
4%
|
|
Insight
|
$127,246 |
4%
|
|
Change Management
|
$127,246 |
4%
|
|
Alignment
|
$127,246 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Communications Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Communications Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,712 and $129,458).
Communications Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 2.4% |
| Associates | 1.9% |
| Bachelors | 59.8% |
| Masters | 34.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.9% |
Understanding how a Communications Manager'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 April 01, 2026Salaries for a Communications Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $111,007 in 2023 to around $108,753 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Communications Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $111,007 |
| 2024 | $110,061 |
| 2025 | $108,753 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Manages an organization's internal and external communications strategies and programs. Creates, implements and oversees communications programs that effectively describe and promote the organization and its products. May aid in the preparation of presentations and/or speeches geared toward employees and consumers. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Leadership: Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Strategic Communication: Strategic communication refers to policy-making and guidance for consistent information activity within an organization and between organizations.
Executive Communications: Exchanging of information between leadership, senior management, or an executive team, and employees in an organization.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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