Public Relations Manager Salary in 2026
How Much Do Public Relations Managers Make?
Public Relations Managers earn a median annual salary of $138,520 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $78,880 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $160,320. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $185,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,880 |
| 25th percentile | $102,300 |
| Median (50th) | $138,520 |
| 75th percentile | $198,000 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Public Relations Manager Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $185,810 |
| Virginia | $173,880 |
| New York | $173,780 |
| Massachusetts | $169,760 |
| New Jersey | $169,510 |
| Washington | $159,510 |
| Colorado | $157,150 |
| California | $156,340 |
| Delaware | $154,200 |
| Connecticut | $152,450 |
| Rhode Island | $146,180 |
| Maryland | $144,590 |
| Arkansas | $140,970 |
| Utah | $133,440 |
| Vermont | $131,780 |
| Georgia | $131,590 |
| New Hampshire | $128,600 |
| North Carolina | $123,800 |
| Illinois | $122,950 |
| Minnesota | $120,550 |
| Texas | $120,210 |
| Ohio | $120,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $119,400 |
| Maine | $119,110 |
| Oregon | $119,040 |
| Kansas | $117,080 |
| Tennessee | $116,340 |
| Michigan | $114,970 |
| Florida | $112,710 |
| New Mexico | $112,490 |
| Indiana | $110,200 |
| Wisconsin | $106,580 |
| Iowa | $106,470 |
| Missouri | $106,000 |
| Hawaii | $105,980 |
| Arizona | $105,360 |
| Nevada | $105,340 |
| Alaska | $103,780 |
| North Dakota | $103,200 |
| Kentucky | $102,690 |
| Montana | $101,700 |
| Nebraska | $101,600 |
| South Carolina | $98,620 |
| Louisiana | $96,920 |
| Alabama | $93,040 |
| Idaho | $92,590 |
| Mississippi | $90,630 |
| Oklahoma | $85,970 |
| West Virginia | $85,290 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Public Relations Managers
Public Relations Manager Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$78,880 – $102,300 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$138,520 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$198,000 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as a Public Relations Manager
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Public Relations Managers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $218,460 — $79,940 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($198,000) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Public Relations Manager Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managerthis career | $138,520 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| General and Operations Manager | $102,950 |
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | $126,960 |
| Marketing Manager | $161,030 |
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SOC: 11-2032.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.