Public Relations Specialists Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$64,260
- 25th Percentile — Junior$78,200
- 50th Percentile — Median$102,740
- 75th Percentile — Senior$149,120
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$202,170
Half of Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia earn more than $102,740. The top 10% make $202,170 or more, while entry-level workers start around $64,260.
Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for Public Relations Specialists pay, at $120,200 per year (42.9% above the U.S. average of $84,120).
- 16,720 people work as Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia — 5.9% of all U.S. Public Relations Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 13.07: Public Relations Specialists jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,260; the top 10% earn over $202,170.
- Hourly equivalent: $57.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among creative jobs in District of Columbia, News Analysts Reporters and Journalists pays the most ($174,360).
Public Relations Specialists Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Public Relations Specialists here earn $120,200 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $120,200 is roughly equivalent to $79,079 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($97,140), Colorado ($95,790), New York ($95,760) are the closest alternatives for Public Relations Specialists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $174,360/yr District of Columbia +45.1% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $128,890/yr District of Columbia +7.2% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $115,040/yr District of Columbia 4.3% vs this role
- Editors $109,290/yr District of Columbia 9.1% vs this role
- Photographers $104,630/yr District of Columbia 13.0% vs this role
- Interior Designers $102,040/yr District of Columbia 15.1% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $100,990/yr District of Columbia 16.0% vs this role
- Graphic Designers $94,630/yr District of Columbia 21.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Public Relations Specialists salary in District of Columbia?
The average Public Relations Specialists salary in District of Columbia is $120,200 per year (median $102,740), which is 42.9% above the national average of $84,120.
How does District of Columbia rank for Public Relations Specialists pay?
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($120,200/yr).
How much do entry-level Public Relations Specialists make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia earn about $64,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $78,200.
How much do Public Relations Specialists make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $57.79 per hour, based on the $120,200 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Public Relations Specialists work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 16,720 Public Relations Specialists jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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