How Much Does a Public Relations Manager Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$146,910
Public relations managers in the U.S. earn a median of $146,910 a year, or $70.63 an hour. Half of public relations managers earn more than $146,910 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $284,990.
Pay percentiles for public relations managers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39.62 | $82,410 |
| 25th | $51.24 | $106,580 |
| 50th (median) | $70.63 | $146,910 |
| 75th | $98.33 | $204,520 |
| 90th | $137.01 | $284,990 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Public Relations Managers (SOC 11-2032). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for public relations managers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $197,600 | $95.00 | +35% |
| New York | $180,880 | $86.96 | +23% |
| Virginia | $176,340 | $84.78 | +20% |
| New Jersey | $174,980 | $84.13 | +19% |
| Massachusetts | $171,740 | $82.57 | +17% |
| California | $167,980 | $80.76 | +14% |
| Maine | $166,940 | $80.26 | +14% |
| Colorado | $162,870 | $78.30 | +11% |
| Washington | $159,440 | $76.65 | +9% |
| Rhode Island | $156,080 | $75.04 | +6% |
| United States | $146,910 | $70.63 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many public relations managers are there?
BLS counts about 74,850 public relations managers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (9,400), Texas (8,190) and New York (7,710).
The mean (average) annual wage is $164,760, higher than the median of $146,910.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $12,243
- Biweekly
- $5,650
- Weekly
- $2,825
- Daily (8 hours)
- $565
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do public relations managers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for public relations managers is $70.63. The middle 50% earn between $51.24 and $98.33 an hour.
Which state pays public relations managers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for public relations managers at $197,600, +35% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for public relations managers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of public relations managers earn less than $82,410 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.