Public Relations Specialist Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $112,918 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $110,732 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $103,447 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $100,533 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $96,162 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $94,705 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $93,248 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $91,062 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $88,877 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $83,778 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $83,778 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $83,049 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $81,592 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $80,135 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $80,135 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $78,678 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $76,492 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $76,492 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $74,307 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $74,307 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $72,850 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $72,850 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $72,122 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $72,122 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $71,393 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $69,208 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $69,208 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $67,750 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $67,750 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $67,750 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $67,022 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $67,022 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $66,294 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $65,565 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $64,108 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $64,108 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $64,108 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $64,108 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $64,108 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $64,108 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $63,380 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $63,380 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $63,380 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $62,651 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $61,922 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $61,922 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $61,194 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $60,466 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $60,466 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $58,280 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $56,823 | -22.0% | Medium |
A Public Relations Specialist'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 Specialists typically earn $45,144–$61,800 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $99,276–$114,319 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 Specialist role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 3.8% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Marketing sector.
-
What is the average salary for a Public Relations Specialist?The average salary for a Public Relations Specialist in the United States is $72,850 per year, with a median of $67,440.
-
What is the starting salary for a Public Relations Specialist?Entry-level Public Relations Specialists typically earn between $45,144 and $61,800 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Public Relations Specialists the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Public Relations Specialists the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Public Relations Specialist make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $72,850, a Public Relations Specialist earns approximately $35.02 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Public Relations Specialist a good career in 2026?Yes — the Public Relations Specialist role has medium demand with 3.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.