Overcoming the Gender Pay Gap in Public Relations

Kevin M. Brett

January 2014

The Glass Ceiling is Shattered

Women Dominate PR in Numbers; But Trail in Average Annual Salary

• Men, $84,368• Women, $76,063• Delta: $8,305

• Difference multiplied by 40 years:• $332,000 Differential = Serious Money• House Down-Payment? Kid’s College?

Source: Why Women Make Less Than Men; The Cost of

Gender Discrimination in U.S. Public Relations; Dozier, Sha &

Shen, PR Journal, 2013

Attributed Reasons for PR Gender Pay Inequity

• Differences in Experience/Gap Closing• Career “Interruptions”• Technician vs. Management Decisions• Emphasis on Community Relations/Non-

Profit as opposed to Corporate/Financial Communications

Source: Why Women Make Less Than Men; The Cost of

Gender Discrimination in U.S. Public Relations; Dozier, Sha &

Shen, PR Journal, 2013

Preferences and Choices I

5-FigureTechnician• SAE: $55,364• SAS: $88,676

6-Figure Managerial• VP: $118,586• SVP: $174,695

Preferences and Choices II

• Non-Profit Communications: $62,275

• Corporate Public Relations: $88,823

Preferences and Choices III• Community Relations: $63,437

• Financial Communications: $117,233

Strategies to Promote PR Gender Pay Equity

• Group Leadership• Managerial, Not Technician• Financial Acumen

– Qualitative – Buy Side, Sell Side – Quantitative – Balance Sheets

• Pursue High Salary Segments• Positive, Targeted Mentoring

No Magic Wand to Eliminate Pay Inequity

• Progress Being Made

• Mentoring Crucial

• Need to Adopt New Approaches

• Concentrate on Talent Supply and Demand

• Numbers in Favor of Women PR Pros

http://almostdailybrett.wordpress.com/2013/10/01/addressing-the-gender-pay-gap-in-public-relations