Senior-Level

Senior Communications Specialist

Senior communications specialists handle the more substantial communication work — leading campaigns, advising leadership, and managing complex external or internal communications.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
E
A
S
I
R
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Senior Communications Specialists
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Senior Communications Specialist

A typical day mixes writing — strategic messaging, leadership communications, sensitive announcements — with coordination work including approvals and stakeholder management.

Collaboration involves leadership, subject experts, marketing, and sometimes external press or agencies. What's harder than expected is the political dimension — senior communications often involve sensitive territory where word choice matters.

People who thrive tend to be strong writers, politically savvy, and good at managing competing voices. If you find satisfaction in communications that land, the role often fits well.

RelationshipsModerate
SupportModerate
AchievementModerate
IndependenceModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Senior Communications Specialists (SOC 13-1161.00, 27-3031.00, 27-3043.00, 43-2011.00, 43-5031.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Senior Communications Specialist career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$30K–$145K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
1.3M
U.S. Employment
-1.54%
10yr Growth
142K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$68K$65K$62K$59K$57K201920202021202220232024$57K$68K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

WritingActive ListeningActive ListeningSpeakingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningReading ComprehensionWritingSocial Perceptiveness
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
13-1161.0027-3031.0027-3043.0043-2011.0043-5031.00

Navigate your career with clarity

Truest gives you tools to understand your strengths, explore roles that fit, and plan your next move.

Explore Truest career tools
Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.