How much does a public relations manager make?
The median public relations manager in the United States earns $146,910 per year, about $70.63 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all public relations managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-2032.
Public relations manager salary range
Pay for public relations managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $82,410 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $284,990. The average (mean) wage of $164,760 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $82,410 | $39.62 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $106,580 | $51.24 | |
| Median (50th) | $146,910 | $70.63 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $204,520 | $98.33 | |
| 90th percentile | $284,990 | $137.01 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for public relations managers (SOC 11-2032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Public relations manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Public relations managers earn the most in District of Columbia at $197,600 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $82,380. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $197,600 | 7,410 |
| New York | $180,880 | 7,710 |
| Virginia | $176,340 | 2,610 |
| New Jersey | $174,980 | 2,420 |
| Massachusetts | $171,740 | 2,170 |
| California | $167,980 | 9,400 |
| Maine | $166,940 | N/A |
| Colorado | $162,870 | N/A |
| Washington | $159,440 | 1,610 |
| Rhode Island | $156,080 | 210 |
| Connecticut | $154,210 | 890 |
| Delaware | $153,010 | 170 |
| Maryland | $149,380 | 1,530 |
| Minnesota | $139,040 | 1,230 |
| Georgia | $134,500 | 1,540 |
| Utah | $132,670 | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $132,660 | 330 |
| North Carolina | $132,280 | 1,510 |
| Illinois | $131,990 | 2,770 |
| Oregon | $131,190 | 1,410 |
| Kansas | $129,760 | 300 |
| Florida | $127,550 | 2,990 |
| Tennessee | $127,390 | 700 |
| Texas | $126,670 | 8,190 |
| Alaska | $120,920 | 380 |
| Iowa | $120,730 | 630 |
| Ohio | $118,670 | 1,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $118,050 | 2,210 |
| Michigan | $117,900 | 1,720 |
| New Mexico | $115,260 | 250 |
| Indiana | $114,960 | 600 |
| Missouri | $114,710 | 760 |
| Arizona | $114,400 | 1,170 |
| Nevada | $114,130 | 450 |
| North Dakota | $114,110 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $113,980 | 1,010 |
| Kentucky | $112,320 | 510 |
| Hawaii | $105,010 | 390 |
| South Carolina | $104,920 | 650 |
| Nebraska | $104,440 | 330 |
| Arkansas | $104,170 | 340 |
| Montana | $99,990 | 180 |
| Alabama | $98,210 | 540 |
| Idaho | $98,160 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $97,160 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $96,030 | 490 |
| Louisiana | $94,380 | 320 |
| West Virginia | $82,380 | 70 |
State median wages for public relations managers (SOC 11-2032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for public relations managers
The BLS projects employment of public relations managers to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 80,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 85,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,100 openings a year for public relations managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a public relations manager
The typical entry-level education for public relations managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a public relations manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $197,600) and the lowest (West Virginia, $82,380) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 74,850 people work as public relations managers in the United States. At $146,910 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Public relations manager salary FAQ
How much does a public relations manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a public relations manager is $70.63. The middle half of public relations managers earn between $51.24 and $98.33 per hour.
What is the highest public relations manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of public relations managers earn more than $284,990 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a public relations manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a public relations manager is $146,910. The average (mean) wage of $164,760 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a public relations manager a well paid job?
At $146,910 a year, a public relations manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 74,850 people work as public relations managers in the United States.
Which state pays public relations managers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for public relations managers at $197,600 a year. New York ($180,880) and Virginia ($176,340) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a public relations manager a good career?
Employment of public relations managers is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a public relations manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for public relations managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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