Head of Communications Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$205,000
estimated national base salary
$160,000 to $267,000. Last updated September 2026.
Orbyt prices 8 titles at this same figure, including Director of Design, Head of Communications, and Director of Revenue. Orbyt does not hold title-level wage data that would separate them.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $146,910 for Public Relations Managers (SOC 11-2032) across the United States, based on 74,850 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$82,410
25th percentile
$106,580
Median
$146,910
75th percentile
$204,520
90th percentile
$284,990
Workers surveyed
74,850
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$138,520
May 2025 release
$146,910
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
Why this differs from the estimate above. The Orbyt estimate of $205,000 is 40% higher than this published figure. That is usually not an error in either number: BLS reports by occupation code, and Public Relations Managers covers a different population than the Head of Communications title as it is typically advertised. Both are shown, unreconciled, so you can judge which one describes the job you mean.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Public Relations Managers (SOC 11-2032) rather than Head of Communications specifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 11-2032Highest Paying
$282,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$214,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$155,000
Jackson, MS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated September 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 11-2032. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Head of Communications salary in the United States at $205,000 in 2026, within a range of $160,000 to $267,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. This figure is not specific to this title: Orbyt prices 8 titles at the same estimate. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $282,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Head of Communications compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent.
Head of Communications salary by city.
Skills that increase Head of Communications pay.
The premiums below are Orbyt's modelled scenarios for Head of Communicationss, not effects measured from job postings: each is a fixed percentage applied to the estimated base. At the top premium that works out to $28,700 a year.
≈ +$28,700 per year
≈ +$26,650 per year
≈ +$24,600 per year
≈ +$22,550 per year
≈ +$22,550 per year
≈ +$20,500 per year
≈ +$20,500 per year
≈ +$18,450 per year
What you should know.
Head of Communications compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent. Equity is a major component at roughly 28% of base — candidates should weight stock grants as heavily as salary when comparing offers. Within education, institution tier (R1 research vs liberal arts vs community college) and tenure status drive the primary compensation variance.
Head of Communicationss progress from individual contributor to manager in 4 to 6 years, then to director in 8 to 12, with VP and C-suite levels requiring 15+ years and proven P&L track record. For Head of Communicationss specifically, the seniority anchor means roughly 12+ years of experience and demonstrated P&L or strategic leadership.
Total compensation for Head of Communicationss runs roughly $309K at median when factoring base + equity (28% of base annually) + bonus (18% of base). Equity is the single largest non-base component — candidates should model vesting schedules (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff) and compare grant values across offers carefully. Benefits and time-off policies vary by employer; candidates should factor them into offer comparisons alongside cash compensation.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Head of Communicationss typically earn $195,000 (5% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Head of Communications pay.
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