SOC 27-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Public Relations Specialists — Washington
Washington · 10 metro areas compared
In Washington the median wage for Public Relations Specialists is $87,470 a year, which is 17.0% higher than the national figure of $74,750.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Washington the median wage for Public Relations Specialists is $87,470 a year, which is 17.0% higher than the national figure of $74,750. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $71,140 and $111,890. The lowest tenth earn under $60,760, while the highest tenth earn more than $136,020.
The area has 6,430 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.8 of every thousand jobs. Washington ranks number 2nd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Kennewick records the highest median at $103,030. Of the 757 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 247th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,760 | −18.7% |
| 25th | $71,140 | −4.8% |
| Median (50th) | $87,470 | +17.0% |
| 75th | $111,890 | +49.7% |
| 90th | $136,020 | +82.0% |
| Mean | $95,030 | +27.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick | $103,030 | 200 | |
| 2 | Seattle | $96,000 | 3,980 | |
| 3 | Olympia | $84,470 | 630 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $83,390 | 130 | |
| 5 | Mount Vernon | $78,110 | 50 | |
| 6 | Bellingham | $77,320 | 120 | |
| 7 | Yakima | $77,150 | 80 | |
| 8 | Wenatchee | $76,600 | 60 | |
| 9 | Walla Walla | $76,360 | 40 | |
| 10 | Spokane | $74,610 | 320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $87,470 buys what $81,748 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$87,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$81,748US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $87,470 a year, 17.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,760 to $136,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,430 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kennewick, at $103,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Public Relations Specialists in Washington?
The median annual wage is $87,470, or $42.05 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 Washington is 17.0% higher. 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 Washington earns more than $136,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,760 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 Kennewick, at $103,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,430 jobs in this occupation in Washington. 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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