Communication managers may work under a variety of job titles.
Communication managers work in a variety of companies under a wide array of job titles and the manager's annual salary may vary based on the company's definition of the position. In addition to an annual salary, communication managers also typically earn bonuses and non-financial incentives that increased the overall compensation package, and higher education can further increase a communication manager's earnings.
Salary
The median 2008 annual nationwide salary for communication managers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, was $105,960. This figure represented all communication managers, though, and the Bureau of Labor and Statistics noted that recent college graduates and those new to the position typically earned around $43,225 in 2009. The employment and compensation website Payscale listed a somewhat different salary range in a 2011 article; according to Payscale, the typical annual salary for a communication manager falls between $45,974 and $73,307. Payscale also noted that communication managers typically earned annual bonuses of up to $7,251 and profit sharing incentives that averaged up to $5,161.
Types
Because communication managers often work under a very broad definition of the term, "Communication," employees in this role may perform a wide variety of jobs. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics listed some more specific names for communication manager jobs as advertising managers, marketing managers, promotions managers, public relations managers and even sales managers. Other names for the position, according to the bureau, may include media director, creative director and even account executive. The bureau went on to elaborate that some very small firms may require senior executives, like the chief executive officer or the chief operations officer, to absorb the responsibilities of the communication manager role.
Education
Though the Bureau of Labor and Statistics notes that most communication managers hold at least a bachelor's degree, managers with post-graduate degrees may command a higher salary than those with a four-year degree. Payscale noted that communication managers who hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications typically earn between $47,000 and $68,929, and those who hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in English often earn between $44,000 and $71,986 as of January 2011. Those with a Master of Business Administration, or MBA, degree typically earn between $44,800 and $71,000.
Other Factors
In addition to education, a number of other factors can affect a communication manager's annual earnings. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics notes companies tend to promote existing employees to the communication manager role, so the employee's previous salary and years of experience can play a role in determining the communication manager salary. The bureau also explains that some organizations offer certification for communication managers, and managers who hold one of these certifications may command a higher salary than those who do not.
Considerations
As Payscale notes, a considerable portion of a communications manager's salary often comes in the form of incentives and bonuses. Many communication managers also receive non-financial rewards, like health care insurance subsidies and flexible working arrangements, that can increase the value of the manager's work. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics also notes that many companies consider communication managers highly eligible for promotion to executive positions, so a higher salary may follow advancement from the communication manager role.
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