Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
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Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
How Much Should You Charge for Crisis Communications?
Crisis communications specialists charge $5,000–$30,000 for active crisis response engagements. Ongoing crisis preparedness retainers run $2,000–$6,000 per month.
Floor
$5,000
per hour
Typical
$15,000
per hour
Premium
$40,000
per hour
Find your exact rate
Typical project work, moderate complexity.
Factor in AI tool subscriptions
Your Rate
Day Rate
$450
Project Est.
$2,200
Retainer
$8,350/mo
Was this helpful?
Community Data
What do you actually charge?
Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.
What changes the price
- Severity and media exposure of the crisis
- Speed of response required (hours vs. days)
- Number of stakeholder groups to communicate with
- Whether litigation risk affects messaging
- Social media monitoring and response scope
- 24/7 availability requirements
- Internal communications management
- Post-crisis reputation recovery strategy
Real quote breakdowns
Social Media Crisis Response
A small brand faces a viral negative review situation and needs rapid messaging, social responses, and a holding statement.
Breakdown
Immediate situation assessment, holding statement, social media response scripts, media Q&A prep, and 48-hour monitoring.
Data Breach Communications
A mid-size company needs to communicate a data breach to customers, media, and regulators with coordinated messaging.
Breakdown
Crisis communications plan, customer notification, media holding statement and Q&A, regulatory communication support, spokesperson prep, and one week of media monitoring.
Executive Misconduct Crisis
A publicly traded company needs full crisis management including media strategy, board communications, and reputation recovery planning.
Breakdown
24/7 availability for 2 weeks, crisis communications plan, media spokesperson coaching, stakeholder messaging suite, social monitoring, and 90-day reputation recovery roadmap.
Frequently asked questions
How do I price crisis communications when there is no lead time?
Charge a crisis mobilisation fee (typically $1,500–$3,000) for immediate activation within 24 hours, on top of your standard project or daily rate. This compensates for schedule disruption and urgency.
Should I offer crisis retainers for preparedness?
Yes. A crisis preparedness retainer ($1,500–$4,000/month) keeps you on call, covers quarterly plan reviews and media training, and positions you as a strategic partner rather than a reactive vendor.
What does a crisis communications deliverable typically include?
A standard crisis package includes a holding statement, FAQ document, stakeholder messaging matrix, media Q&A, internal communications template, and a post-crisis monitoring plan.
Can I work in crisis communications without specialist experience?
Crisis work requires specific expertise in media law, reputation management, and high-stakes communication. Without a proven track record, avoid representing crisis capabilities. Apprentice under an experienced practitioner first.