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.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical experience: 3 to 6 years at the Specialist / Intermediate level, per widely used corporate career-level norms (Radford, Mercer, and SHRM career-level frameworks). Actual expectations vary by function, industry, and company size.
Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
Top skills:SpeakingActive ListeningWritingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionTime Management
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience level
Entry level$45,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$58,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$77,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$104,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$140,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
27,600
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Public Relations Specialist salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
62,010 workers
$99,000
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
39,200 workers
$84,000
Educational Services
37,920 workers
$75,500
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
37,610 workers
$100,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
31,410 workers
$90,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
21,280 workers
$75,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
17,830 workers
$73,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
16,820 workers
$83,000
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations
16,560 workers
$91,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
13,420 workers
$103,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional or Administrative exemption
Individual contributor roles at this level typically qualify for the Professional exemption (requiring advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning) or the Administrative exemption (office work related to management or general business operations with discretion on significant matters). Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Public Relations Specialist make?
The average base salary for a Public Relations Specialist in the United States is $87,000 per year, or about $41.83 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $58,500 and $104,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media roles?
The Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job family averages $88,500 across 45 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.
Need Public Relations Specialist pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
