PR is now the seventh-most stressful job in America

If so, it makes sense. The annual study from CareerCast that ranks the nation’s most-stressful jobs downgraded PR executive to No. 7 this year. In 2011, PR was No. 2 on the list.

Here’s how CareerCast describes the work of a PR professional:

“Public Relations Officers are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive image with the public for companies, non-profits and government agencies. They typically are responsible for giving presentations and making speeches, often in front of large crowds. This very competitive field, which often includes highly visible, tight deadlines, keeps stress at high-levels for specialists. Some PR executives are required to interact with potentially hostile members of the media, especially after a disaster.”

According to CareerCast, the average annual salary for a PR exec is $91,810, an increase of nearly $2,000 from 2011.