Salary data
PR Specialist Salary (May 2025 BLS Data)
The median annual pay for public relations specialists in the US is $74,750, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025); the top 10% earn more than $135,150. This page shows what US public relations specialists earn, from the BLS May 2025 survey: the median, the spread from the bottom to the top 10%, and medians by state.
Key takeaways
- PR specialist pay comes from the BLS occupation public relations specialists, code 27-3031, from the May 2025 survey.
- Entry-level PR specialists usually start near the lower part of the BLS range, around the 25th percentile.
- In-house corporate communications roles usually pay more than agency roles at the same level.
- PR managers are counted as a separate BLS occupation and earn more than PR specialists.
- Specialisms such as crisis, investor and healthcare communications tend to pay more.
How much does a PR specialist make?
The median annual pay for public relations specialists in the US is $74,750. The middle half earn between $56,260 and $100,370, and the top 10% earn more than $135,150. About 283,380 people work in this occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Occupation 27-3031.
The pay range for public relations specialists
Read the range, not only the median. Half of everyone in the group earns between the 25th and 75th percentile.
| Pay level | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $44,110 |
| 25th percentile | $56,260 |
| Median | $74,750 |
| 75th percentile | $100,370 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $135,150 |
| Mean (average) | $84,120 |
US, all industries. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Which BLS figure covers PR specialist roles?
PR specialist maps directly onto a BLS occupation: public relations specialists (27-3031). It covers media relations, communications and many corporate comms roles. PR managers and directors are counted separately, on the PR manager salary page. Agency account executives and in-house communications specialists are both in this group, which is part of why the range is wide.
What does an entry-level PR specialist make?
Entry-level PR specialists usually sit near the bottom quarter of the range above, around the 25th percentile, and move toward the median as they take on their own clients or media relationships. Titles at this level include PR coordinator, junior account executive and communications assistant. Agency starting pay is often lower than in-house, so compare the actual offer against the table rather than the median alone. The gap closes quickly once you have media relationships of your own, so the first year is mostly about building those.
What does a PR specialist do?
A PR specialist manages how an organization is covered and talked about: pitching journalists, writing press releases and statements, preparing spokespeople, running announcements and tracking coverage. Many also handle social media, internal communications or events. Our guide on how to become a PR specialist covers the role, skills and path in.
What affects PR specialist pay?
Level and scope move pay more than anything else. After that:
- Agency or in-house: in-house corporate communications usually pays more than agency roles at the same level.
- Specialism: investor relations, crisis and healthcare communications tend to pay more.
- Industry: technology, finance and pharmaceuticals pay more than nonprofits and local government.
- City: media and corporate headquarters cluster in large metros, where pay is higher.
PR specialist salary by state
The median for public relations specialists varies a lot by state, mostly with the cost of living and where the employers are. The table runs from highest to lowest.
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 |
| Washington | $87,470 |
| California | $85,030 |
| Connecticut | $84,990 |
| New York | $81,250 |
| Colorado | $80,680 |
| Virginia | $80,380 |
| New Jersey | $80,130 |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 |
| Maryland | $79,560 |
| Rhode Island | $77,540 |
| Illinois | $76,380 |
| Delaware | $76,120 |
| Oregon | $74,900 |
| Nevada | $73,840 |
| New Hampshire | $73,280 |
| Georgia | $73,200 |
| North Dakota | $70,280 |
| Alaska | $70,050 |
| New Mexico | $68,700 |
| Minnesota | $68,620 |
| Wyoming | $67,490 |
| Wisconsin | $67,240 |
| North Carolina | $67,230 |
| Arizona | $66,710 |
| Vermont | $66,060 |
| Michigan | $65,300 |
| Texas | $65,160 |
| Arkansas | $65,000 |
| Oklahoma | $64,920 |
| Indiana | $64,900 |
| Kansas | $64,860 |
| Ohio | $64,840 |
| South Dakota | $64,520 |
| Hawaii | $63,880 |
| Montana | $63,780 |
| Florida | $63,660 |
| Iowa | $62,970 |
| South Carolina | $62,730 |
| Utah | $62,670 |
| Maine | $62,450 |
| Nebraska | $61,780 |
| Alabama | $61,710 |
| Missouri | $61,130 |
| Idaho | $61,110 |
| Tennessee | $60,900 |
| Louisiana | $60,470 |
| Kentucky | $60,150 |
| Mississippi | $59,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,460 |
| West Virginia | $56,730 |
Highest first. States BLS doesn't publish a median for are left out. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
How to use this in a salary negotiation
Use the range to anchor, not to argue. Find where the role sits: an entry-level coordinator belongs near the 25th percentile, a senior lead running a team and budget near the 75th or above. Then check the posting, since a growing number of states require employers to publish a pay range. If the posting’s range and the BLS range disagree, the posting wins: it’s the budget for this job. The BLS figure is still useful when there’s no range at all, or when you’re asked for your number first. Bringing up pay can feel awkward, but a number backed by public data is a normal, professional thing to discuss, and hiring managers expect the conversation. Put it in your own words and your own tone, say it once, then give them room to respond. Our salary negotiation guide covers what to say and when. Before your first call, write down your number and where it sits in the range above, so it’s ready when the question comes.
FAQ
What’s the difference between PR specialist and PR manager pay?
BLS counts them as separate occupations, and managers earn much more. See the PR manager salary page for that range.
Do PR agencies pay less than in-house roles?
Often at the same level, yes, though agencies can move people up faster. Compare the actual offers.
Which PR skills are paid most?
Crisis communications, executive and investor communications, and experience in regulated industries.