NEW YORK: During 2003, average PR salaries took their biggest year-over-year drop since PRWeek began tracking them in 2001, according to the 2004 PRWeek Salary Survey.

Overall, average base salaries this year dropped by 6.1%, to $63,590, according to the 2004 PRWeek Salary Survey.

That figure is lower than the $64,366 figure the survey registered two years ago.

The survey also found that mid-level practitioners, those with eight to 12 years' experience, were the only level to see salary gains.

The survey ...