Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Public Relations Manager is a professional role in the Management job family, focused on Public Relations Manager work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Public Relations Managers do
Assign, supervise, and review the activities of public relations staff.
Confer with labor relations managers to develop internal communications that keep employees informed of company activities.
Design and edit promotional publications, such as brochures.
Develop and maintain the company's corporate image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
Develop, implement, or maintain crisis communication plans.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Public Relations Manager salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
15,460 workers
$196,000
Other Services (except Public Administration)
10,930 workers
$160,500
Educational Services
9,580 workers
$132,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
7,710 workers
$196,000
Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
6,270 workers
$137,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS
6,090 workers
$135,000
Finance and Insurance
4,810 workers
$192,000
State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
4,620 workers
$124,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Public Relations Manager pays 24% above the average across 37 roles in the Management job family (family average $137,000).
The average base salary for a Public Relations Manager in the United States is $170,500 per year, or about $81.97 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $110,500 and $211,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Management roles?
The Management job family averages $137,000 across 37 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
