2493 Public relations professionals

In short

• ONS unit group 2493, in minor group 249 (Media professionals) and major group 2 (Professional occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): On the list: Table 1, Table 2.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £37,000 (£18.97 per hour)
  • Table 2, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £30,100 (£15.44 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Public relations professionals plan, organise and co-ordinate the activities that promote the image and understanding of an organisation and its products or services to consumers, businesses, members of the public and other specified audiences.

Typical entry routes

Most entrants possess A levels/H grades and a degree or equivalent qualification. Further professional qualifications are available.

Tasks

• discusses issues of business strategy, products, services and target client base with senior colleagues to identify public relations requirements
• writes, edits and arranges for the effective distribution of press releases, newsletters, social media and other public relations material
• addresses individuals, clients and other target groups through meetings, presentations, the media and other events to enhance the public image of an organisation
• develops and implements tools to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of public relations exercises

Related job titles

• Account manager (public relations)
• Communications manager (public relations)
• Public relations consultant
• Press officer
• Public relations officer
• Social media manager

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on median Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2493 Public relations professionals

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Press officers
• Public relations officers
• Social media managers
• Public relations professionals not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£37,000 (£18.97 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Table 2: Eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates based on 25th percentile Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data

SOC 2020 occupation code

2493 Public relations professionals

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

2472

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Press officers
• Public relations officers
• Social media managers
• Public relations professionals not elsewhere classified

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£30,100 (£15.44 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

£27,100 (£13.90 per hour)

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

Yes

Other unit groups in minor group 249

• 2491 Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors
• 2492 Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters
• 2494 Advertising accounts managers and creative directors

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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