Public Relations Specialists Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $122,218 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $119,852 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $111,967 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $108,813 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $104,082 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $102,505 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $100,928 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $98,562 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $96,197 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $90,678 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $90,678 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $89,889 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $88,312 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $86,735 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $86,735 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $85,158 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $82,792 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $82,792 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $80,427 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $80,427 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $78,850 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $78,850 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $78,062 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $78,062 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $77,273 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $74,908 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $74,908 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $73,330 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $73,330 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $73,330 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $72,542 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $72,542 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $71,754 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $70,965 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $69,388 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $69,388 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $69,388 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $69,388 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $69,388 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $69,388 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $68,600 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $68,600 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $68,600 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $67,811 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $67,022 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $67,022 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $66,234 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $65,446 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $65,446 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $63,080 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $61,503 | -22.0% | High |
A Public Relations Specialists'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 Specialistss typically earn $49,194–$66,050 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $103,976–$118,919 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 Specialists role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.0% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Creative sector.
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What is the average salary for a Public Relations Specialists?The average salary for a Public Relations Specialists in the United States is $78,850 per year, with a median of $73,440.
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What is the starting salary for a Public Relations Specialists?Entry-level Public Relations Specialistss typically earn between $49,194 and $66,050 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Public Relations Specialistss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Public Relations Specialistss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Public Relations Specialists make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $78,850, a Public Relations Specialists earns approximately $37.91 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Public Relations Specialists a good career in 2026?Yes — the Public Relations Specialists role has high demand with 3.0% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.