How much does a public relations specialist make?
The median public relations specialist in the United States earns $74,750 per year, about $35.94 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all public relations specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-3031.
Public relations specialist salary range
Pay for public relations specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $135,150. The average (mean) wage of $84,120 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 | $44,110 | $21.21 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $56,260 | $27.05 | |
| Median (50th) | $74,750 | $35.94 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $100,370 | $48.25 | |
| 90th percentile | $135,150 | $64.98 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for public relations specialists (SOC 27-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Public relations specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Public relations specialists earn the most in District of Columbia at $102,740 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $56,730. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 | 16,720 |
| Washington | $87,470 | 6,430 |
| California | $85,030 | 32,710 |
| Connecticut | $84,990 | 1,910 |
| New York | $81,250 | 28,250 |
| Colorado | $80,680 | 7,410 |
| Virginia | $80,380 | 9,990 |
| New Jersey | $80,130 | 4,980 |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 | 6,760 |
| Maryland | $79,560 | 4,190 |
| Rhode Island | $77,540 | 1,140 |
| Illinois | $76,380 | 6,200 |
| Delaware | $76,120 | 930 |
| Oregon | $74,900 | 4,510 |
| Nevada | $73,840 | 1,600 |
| New Hampshire | $73,280 | 1,140 |
| Georgia | $73,200 | 6,860 |
| North Dakota | $70,280 | 640 |
| Alaska | $70,050 | 640 |
| New Mexico | $68,700 | 1,130 |
| Minnesota | $68,620 | 8,260 |
| Wyoming | $67,490 | 480 |
| Wisconsin | $67,240 | 4,410 |
| North Carolina | $67,230 | 9,910 |
| Arizona | $66,710 | 5,350 |
| Vermont | $66,060 | 1,260 |
| Michigan | $65,300 | 7,510 |
| Texas | $65,160 | 25,220 |
| Arkansas | $65,000 | 980 |
| Oklahoma | $64,920 | 2,280 |
| Indiana | $64,900 | 3,750 |
| Kansas | $64,860 | 2,340 |
| Ohio | $64,840 | 6,670 |
| South Dakota | $64,520 | 210 |
| Hawaii | $63,880 | 1,800 |
| Montana | $63,780 | 1,760 |
| Florida | $63,660 | 17,820 |
| Iowa | $62,970 | 2,890 |
| South Carolina | $62,730 | 2,950 |
| Utah | $62,670 | 1,800 |
| Maine | $62,450 | 1,400 |
| Nebraska | $61,780 | 1,590 |
| Alabama | $61,710 | 2,410 |
| Missouri | $61,130 | 4,820 |
| Idaho | $61,110 | 1,220 |
| Tennessee | $60,900 | 3,380 |
| Louisiana | $60,470 | 1,710 |
| Kentucky | $60,150 | 2,580 |
| Mississippi | $59,810 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,460 | 11,180 |
| West Virginia | $56,730 | 350 |
State median wages for public relations specialists (SOC 27-3031), 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 specialists
The BLS projects employment of public relations specialists to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 314,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 320,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 23,000 openings a year for public relations specialists. 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 specialist
The typical entry-level education for public relations specialists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a public relations specialist earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $102,740) and the lowest (West Virginia, $56,730) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 283,380 people work as public relations specialists in the United States. At $74,750 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Public relations specialist salary FAQ
How much does a public relations specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a public relations specialist is $35.94. The middle half of public relations specialists earn between $27.05 and $48.25 per hour.
What is the highest public relations specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of public relations specialists earn more than $135,150 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a public relations specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a public relations specialist is $74,750. The average (mean) wage of $84,120 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 specialist a well paid job?
At $74,750 a year, a public relations specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 283,380 people work as public relations specialists in the United States.
Which state pays public relations specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for public relations specialists at $102,740 a year. Washington ($87,470) and California ($85,030) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a public relations specialist a good career?
Employment of public relations specialists is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 23,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a public relations specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for public relations specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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