SOC 27-3031 · May 2025 · United States
Public Relations Specialists
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Public Relations Specialists across the United States is $74,750 per year, measured over 283,380 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $102,740.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Public Relations Specialists
Pay for this occupation varies by 81.1% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $102,740 and West Virginia pays $56,730.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $102,740 | 16,720 | |
| 2 | Washington | $87,470 | 6,430 | |
| 3 | California | $85,030 | 32,710 | |
| 4 | Connecticut | $84,990 | 1,910 | |
| 5 | New York | $81,250 | 28,250 | |
| 6 | Colorado | $80,680 | 7,410 | |
| 7 | Virginia | $80,380 | 9,990 | |
| 8 | New Jersey | $80,130 | 4,980 | |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $79,660 | 6,760 | |
| 10 | Maryland | $79,560 | 4,190 |
States with the most Public Relations Specialists jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 32,710 | $85,030 | |
| 2 | New York | 28,250 | $81,250 | |
| 3 | Texas | 25,220 | $65,160 | |
| 4 | Florida | 17,820 | $63,660 | |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 16,720 | $102,740 | |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 11,180 | $57,460 | |
| 7 | Virginia | 9,990 | $80,380 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 9,910 | $67,230 | |
| 9 | Minnesota | 8,260 | $68,620 | |
| 10 | Michigan | 7,510 | $65,300 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $117,620 | 2,200 |
| 2 | Kennewick | $103,030 | 200 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $102,520 | 6,290 |
| 4 | Washington | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| 5 | Lexington Park | $99,960 | 60 |
| 6 | Napa | $98,190 | 80 |
| 7 | Seattle | $96,000 | 3,980 |
| 8 | El Centro | $93,100 | 40 |
| 9 | Bloomington | $91,630 | 110 |
| 10 | New Haven | $91,530 | 420 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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