SOC 27-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Public Relations Specialists — South Central Kentucky
South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
At $51,820, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Public Relations Specialists, 30.7% beneath the national figure of $74,750.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $51,820, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Public Relations Specialists, 30.7% beneath the national figure of $74,750. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,500 and $70,910. The lowest tenth earn under $33,280, while the highest tenth earn more than $99,600.
Employment stands at 130, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Owensboro leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $69,350. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 159th of 365 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,280 | −55.5% |
| 25th | $39,500 | −47.2% |
| Median (50th) | $51,820 | −30.7% |
| 75th | $70,910 | −5.1% |
| 90th | $99,600 | +33.2% |
| Mean | $60,230 | −19.4% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owensboro | $69,350 | 40 | |
| 2 | Elizabethtown | $67,200 | 90 | |
| 3 | Lexington | $62,380 | 520 | |
| 4 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $61,640 | 820 | |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $52,580 | 100 | |
| 6 | Paducah | $50,500 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $51,820 goes as far as $57,450 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,820as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$57,450US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,820 a year, 30.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,280 to $99,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Owensboro, at $69,350.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Public Relations Specialists in South Central Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $51,820, or $24.91 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $74,750, so pay in South Central Kentucky, KY is 30.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Central Kentucky, KY earns more than $99,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,280 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Owensboro, at $69,350 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in South Central Kentucky, KY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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