Public Relations Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Public Relations Specialists Make?
Public Relations Specialists earn a median annual salary of $69,780 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $40,750 at the 10th percentile to $129,480 at the 90th percentile — a range of $88,730. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $97,800.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,750 |
| 25th percentile | $51,970 |
| Median (50th) | $69,780 |
| 75th percentile | $95,940 |
| 90th percentile | $129,480 |
Public Relations Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $97,800 |
| Washington | $85,500 |
| Connecticut | $83,620 |
| California | $81,490 |
| New York | $78,510 |
| Virginia | $77,800 |
| Colorado | $77,120 |
| Utah | $75,700 |
| New Jersey | $75,640 |
| Delaware | $75,540 |
| Massachusetts | $75,230 |
| Georgia | $72,800 |
| Rhode Island | $72,770 |
| Maryland | $72,690 |
| New Hampshire | $70,570 |
| Wyoming | $69,670 |
| Alaska | $68,910 |
| North Dakota | $66,660 |
| New Mexico | $65,770 |
| Nevada | $65,280 |
| South Dakota | $65,000 |
| Arizona | $64,800 |
| Oregon | $64,580 |
| Arkansas | $64,520 |
| Wisconsin | $64,380 |
| Minnesota | $64,110 |
| Illinois | $63,590 |
| Hawaii | $63,510 |
| North Carolina | $63,280 |
| Ohio | $62,560 |
| Missouri | $62,230 |
| Kansas | $61,910 |
| Alabama | $61,160 |
| Louisiana | $61,150 |
| Indiana | $61,110 |
| Texas | $61,100 |
| Michigan | $61,060 |
| South Carolina | $60,550 |
| Florida | $60,210 |
| Oklahoma | $59,990 |
| Iowa | $59,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,260 |
| Montana | $58,630 |
| Kentucky | $58,150 |
| Maine | $57,700 |
| Idaho | $57,690 |
| Vermont | $56,770 |
| Nebraska | $56,430 |
| Tennessee | $56,200 |
| Mississippi | $54,790 |
| West Virginia | $52,080 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Public Relations Specialists
Public Relations Specialist 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) | ~$40,750 – $51,970 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$69,780 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$95,940 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $129,480+ |
How to Earn More as a Public Relations Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Public Relations Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $101,200 — $31,420 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 ($95,940) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Public Relations Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialistthis career | $69,780 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | $126,960 |
| Marketing Manager | $161,030 |
| Sales Manager | $138,060 |
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SOC: 27-3031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.