Public Relations Specialist Jobs in California

Public Relations Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in entertainment, technology, consumer brands, and advocacy, with openings at every level from entry-level communications coordinator through senior director. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego drive the bulk of hiring, where employers like Disney, Apple, and Kaiser Permanente maintain large, established communications teams. The most in-demand specialties are digital and social media PR, corporate communications, and crisis communications. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Jobs

Overview

Open roles53
Top employerHighwire
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring28
Work type45% Hybrid
Top industryMarketing

Showing 5 of 53+ Public Relations Specialist jobs

D
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
We won't show you this job again
D
Added 1d ago
Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
Dr.Lili Orthodontics
El Monte, California
Content & Communications
Creative & Design
Multimedia Production
$23 - $24/hr

Have you applied for this role?

Karbo Communications
Tech Public Relations Senior Account Executive
We won't show you this job again
Karbo Communications
Added 1d ago
Tech Public Relations Senior Account Executive
Karbo Communications
San Francisco, California
Business Strategy
Corporate Development & M&A
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
$70k - $95k/yr
Remote (US)
11-50

Have you applied for this role?

The Village Community Presbyterian Church
Public Relations Coordinator
We won't show you this job again
The Village Community Presbyterian Church
Added 1d ago
Public Relations Coordinator
The Village Community Presbyterian Church
Rancho Santa Fe, California
Customer Service
Event Planning
Marketing
$22 - $25/hr
On-Site

Have you applied for this role?

Illumina
Associate Director of Public Relations
We won't show you this job again
Illumina
Added 1d ago
Associate Director of Public Relations
Illumina
San Diego, California
Business Development
Events & Tourism
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project Management
$156k - $233k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in communications
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

P
Director of Public Affairs & Media Relations
We won't show you this job again
P
Added 2d ago
Director of Public Affairs & Media Relations
Providence Strategic Consulting
Bakersfield, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Service & Support
Sales
$110k - $125k/yr
Bachelor's degree

Have you applied for this role?

See All 53 Public Relations Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs

Public Relations Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
12 jobs
Los Angeles
6 jobs
San Jose
4 jobs
Ontario
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
Beverly Hills
2 jobs
Manhattan Beach
2 jobs
City of Industry
2 jobs
Irvine
1 job

Public Relations Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Highwire
Highwire3 open roles
VSC
VSC2 open roles
Higgsfield
Higgsfield2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Marketing & Advertising
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Education
  • Non-Profit & Social Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in public relations specialist jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field
  • Three or more years of PR agency or in-house communications experience preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to write press releases, pitches, and media advisories for California audiences
  • Established relationships with California media contacts and journalists across relevant beats
  • Proficiency with media monitoring and PR software such as Cision, Meltwater, or PR Newswire
  • Experience managing social media channels and integrating digital strategy into PR campaigns

Public Relations Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a public relations specialist in California?

A bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, or marketing is the standard starting point for California employers. California does not require a state license to work as a public relations specialist, but many professionals pursue the Accreditation in Public Relations credential offered by the Public Relations Society of America to strengthen their standing. Building a portfolio through internships at California agencies, entertainment studios, or tech companies is the most direct path into a full-time role.

How much do public relations specialists make in California?

Public relations specialists in California earn a median of about $85,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,550 for the lowest 10% to over $160,520 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire public relations specialists in California?

Employers hiring public relations specialists in California right now include Highwire, VSC, and Higgsfield, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of entertainment studios, major technology headquarters, and large healthcare systems means demand for communications professionals is consistent throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most public relations specialist jobs?

San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose have the most public relations specialist openings in California. Los Angeles dominates because of its entertainment studios, talent agencies, and consumer brand headquarters, while San Francisco and San Jose reflect the heavy concentration of technology companies that require ongoing corporate and product communications support.

Are there remote public relations specialist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 70% of public relations specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based and writing-heavy nature of most PR work. Media relations, content development, and social media management are the functions most commonly offered with flexible or fully remote arrangements.

How can I get hired as a public relations specialist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an internship at a California PR agency or an in-house communications team, which many entertainment companies, technology firms, and healthcare systems in Los Angeles and the Bay Area run on a structured semester or annual basis. Entry-level titles like communications assistant, media relations coordinator, or junior account executive are the roles to target first. A strong writing portfolio, even built from class projects or freelance work for local nonprofits, gives candidates a concrete edge over those without samples.

Where can I find and apply to public relations specialist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to public relations specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly from the listings.

See All 53 Public Relations Specialist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs