The average salary for a public relations specialist in the United States is $77,720, but the range typically falls between $50,280 and $92,290. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $37.37, with a range between $24.17 and $44.37.
There are approximately 275,550 people employed as a public relations specialist in the United States. With California, Texas, New York employing the highest number of public relations specialists.The state with the best pay for a public relations specialist is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $114,250, while Mississippi has the lowest average annual salary of $57,640.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,570 | $18.55 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,280 | $24.17 |
| Median | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,290 | $44.37 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,220 | $60.68 |
The salary of a public relations specialist can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a public relations specialist in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for public relations specialists are District of Columbia, Washington, New York, Maryland, California while the worst states are Mississippi, Utah, Idaho, Tennessee, Montana.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,040 | $66,620 | $108,330 |
| Alaska | $42,750 | $70,830 | $101,040 |
| Arizona | $39,670 | $70,290 | $105,000 |
| California | $45,760 | $87,770 | $138,630 |
| Colorado | $46,040 | $80,620 | $117,500 |
| Connecticut | $43,710 | $81,570 | $127,260 |
| Delaware | $44,510 | $74,620 | $110,660 |
| District of Columbia | $59,510 | $114,250 | $201,470 |
| Florida | $32,410 | $66,740 | $106,770 |
| Georgia | $36,400 | $91,040 | $128,530 |
| Hawaii | $38,540 | $64,780 | $95,550 |
| Idaho | $31,200 | $60,250 | $93,870 |
| Illinois | $38,870 | $76,570 | $116,840 |
| Indiana | $35,710 | $61,000 | $96,410 |
| Iowa | $36,250 | $63,560 | $96,170 |
| Kansas | $35,880 | $64,110 | $96,710 |
| Kentucky | $34,980 | $66,840 | $101,210 |
| Louisiana | $38,650 | $64,130 | $90,950 |
| Maine | $40,930 | $60,830 | $88,110 |
| Maryland | $44,240 | $82,490 | $133,910 |
| Massachusetts | $46,740 | $85,370 | $141,440 |
| Michigan | $34,320 | $65,910 | $104,790 |
| Minnesota | $42,660 | $74,320 | $115,750 |
| Mississippi | $26,830 | $57,640 | $87,800 |
| Missouri | $36,280 | $68,740 | $103,490 |
| Montana | $35,780 | $61,720 | $97,650 |
| Nebraska | $37,330 | $62,280 | $88,300 |
| Nevada | $38,140 | $69,000 | $103,440 |
| New Hampshire | $43,530 | $76,890 | $112,690 |
| New Jersey | $44,320 | $83,850 | $137,450 |
| New Mexico | $24,960 | $62,210 | $99,990 |
| New York | $49,080 | $89,490 | $149,640 |
| North Carolina | $35,780 | $70,440 | $111,510 |
| North Dakota | $46,960 | $73,330 | $102,150 |
| Ohio | $37,880 | $75,990 | $124,860 |
| Oklahoma | $35,880 | $64,850 | $105,060 |
| Oregon | $39,900 | $74,700 | $116,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,220 | $68,030 | $102,210 |
| Rhode Island | $44,990 | $76,950 | $119,490 |
| South Carolina | $38,200 | $65,110 | $98,430 |
| South Dakota | $42,730 | $63,040 | $92,960 |
| Tennessee | $31,200 | $58,370 | $84,990 |
| Texas | $30,810 | $66,070 | $101,820 |
| Utah | $38,310 | $61,710 | $95,350 |
| Vermont | $40,850 | $69,820 | $85,320 |
| Virginia | $37,440 | $81,480 | $133,960 |
| Washington | $53,630 | $91,740 | $136,100 |
| West Virginia | $38,810 | $64,380 | $102,150 |
| Wisconsin | $41,700 | $67,540 | $96,560 |
| Wyoming | $43,910 | $67,430 | $93,870 |
Even between cities, the salary of a public relations specialist can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for public relations specialists is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $116,180.The city with the lowest average salary for public relations specialists is North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area, TN with an average salary of $43,810.
Areas with highest average salaries for public relations specialists
Areas with lowest average salaries for public relations specialists
The number of public relations specialists in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of public relations specialists has increased by 31,000. On average, the number of public relations specialists has been increasing by 3.2% each year. The salary of public relations specialists has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of public relations specialists has increased by $5,780. On average, the salary of public relations specialists has been increasing by 2.0% each year.
Public Relations Specialists are part of the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for public relations specialists compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations jobs here.
$87,140 per year
$53,380 per year
$58,700 per year
$86,620 per year
$107,432 per year
$59,090 per year
