What do PR agencies pay their employees?

Honorarbarometer 2019

The German Public Relations Association e.V. (DPRG) has been conducting industry surveys on remuneration and developments in the PR industry since 1997. Now the Honorarbarometer 2019 is available, which developed in co-operation with the PR Report. A total of 728 persons were surveyed.

The results show that companies, associations and NGOs pay more than agencies and consultancies: between 40,000 and 60,000 EUR compared to 30,000 and 50,000 EUR.

Agency staff salaries

Salaries in PR agencies

In agencies with up to 20 employees there are hardly any differences in the distribution of salary groups. In larger consultancies the salary level spreads more with more low-paid jobs. This is probably due to the greater possibilities in part-time models.

Hourly rates of PR agencies

Hourly rates billed to customers (median)

Gender Pay Gap

Women mostly work in lower salary groups, men in higher salary groups. 47.2% of men earn more than EUR 70,000. For women this is only 21.4%.

North-South divide

In the north the salary groups between 30,000 and 40,000 EUR dominate, in the south between 40,000 and 60,000 EUR.

Organization versus advice

In companies, associations, NGOs and institutions, the main corridor for salaries is between EUR 40,000 and EUR 60,000; in agencies it is between EUR 30,000 and EUR 50,000.

More information

DPRG: Alles zu Gehältern und Stundensätzen: DPRG gibt Honorarbarometer 2019 heraus