📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Public Relations Manager Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$125,780
per year
Median
$116,180
per year
Hourly
$60.47
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$71,096
25th Percentile — Junior$99,918
50th Percentile — Median$116,180
75th Percentile — Senior$164,767
90th Percentile — Top Earners$191,360
💡 The top 10% of Public Relations Managers earn $191,360 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $71,096, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$105.9k
2021
$109.6k
2022
$113.4k
2023
$117.4k
2024
$121.5k
2025
$125.8k
2026
📈 Public Relations Manager salaries have grown 3.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $19,877.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $194,959 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $191,186 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $178,608 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $173,576 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $166,030 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $163,514 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $160,998 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $157,225 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $153,452 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $144,647 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $144,647 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $143,389 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $140,874 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $138,358 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $138,358 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $135,842 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $132,069 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $132,069 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $128,296 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $128,296 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $125,780 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $125,780 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $124,522 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $124,522 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $123,264 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $119,491 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $119,491 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $116,975 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $116,975 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $116,975 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $115,718 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $115,718 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $114,460 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $113,202 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $110,686 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $110,686 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $110,686 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $110,686 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $110,686 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $110,686 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $109,429 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $109,429 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $109,429 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $108,171 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $106,913 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $106,913 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $105,655 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $104,397 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $104,397 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $100,624 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $98,108 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Public Relations Manager Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Public Relations Manager's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Public Relations Managers typically earn $71,096–$99,918 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $164,767–$191,360 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Public Relations Manager role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 3.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Management sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Public Relations Manager?The average salary for a Public Relations Manager in the United States is $125,780 per year, with a median of $116,180.
-
What is the starting salary for a Public Relations Manager?Entry-level Public Relations Managers typically earn between $71,096 and $99,918 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Public Relations Managers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Public Relations Managers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Public Relations Manager make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $125,780, a Public Relations Manager earns approximately $60.47 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Public Relations Manager a good career in 2026?Yes — the Public Relations Manager role has medium demand with 3.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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