How Much Does a Public Relations Specialist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$74,750
Public relations specialists in the U.S. earn a median of $74,750 a year, or $35.94 an hour. Half of public relations specialists earn more than $74,750 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $135,150.
Pay percentiles for public relations specialists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21.21 | $44,110 |
| 25th | $27.05 | $56,260 |
| 50th (median) | $35.94 | $74,750 |
| 75th | $48.25 | $100,370 |
| 90th | $64.98 | $135,150 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for public relations specialists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 | $49.40 | +37% |
| Washington | $87,470 | $42.05 | +17% |
| California | $85,030 | $40.88 | +14% |
| Connecticut | $84,990 | $40.86 | +14% |
| New York | $81,250 | $39.06 | +9% |
| Colorado | $80,680 | $38.79 | +8% |
| Virginia | $80,380 | $38.65 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $80,130 | $38.52 | +7% |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 | $38.30 | +7% |
| Maryland | $79,560 | $38.25 | +6% |
| United States | $74,750 | $35.94 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many public relations specialists are there?
BLS counts about 283,380 public relations specialists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (32,710), New York (28,250) and Texas (25,220).
The mean (average) annual wage is $84,120, higher than the median of $74,750.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,229
- Biweekly
- $2,875
- Weekly
- $1,438
- Daily (8 hours)
- $288
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do public relations specialists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for public relations specialists is $35.94. The middle 50% earn between $27.05 and $48.25 an hour.
Which state pays public relations specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for public relations specialists at $102,740, +37% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for public relations specialists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of public relations specialists earn less than $44,110 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.