BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina

$78,940 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$37.95 per hour

▼ 6.2% below U.S. average19th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$78,940per year
Median$67,230per year
Hourly$37.95per hour
10th – 90th percentile$39,840 – $136,450per year

Public Relations Specialists Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,840
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$51,530
  • 50th Percentile — Median$67,230
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$89,990
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$136,450

Half of Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina earn more than $67,230. The top 10% make $136,450 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,840.

Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 19th of 51 states for Public Relations Specialists pay, at $78,940 per year (6.2% below the U.S. average of $84,120).
  • 9,910 people work as Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina — 3.5% of all U.S. Public Relations Specialists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.10: Public Relations Specialists jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,840; the top 10% earn over $136,450.
  • Hourly equivalent: $37.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $120,200.
  • Among creative jobs in North Carolina, Art Directors pays the most ($95,460).

Public Relations Specialists Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Public Relations Specialists here earn $78,940 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $78,940 is roughly equivalent to $86,747 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($80,470), South Carolina ($80,010), Delaware ($79,960) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Public Relations Specialists salary in North Carolina?

The average Public Relations Specialists salary in North Carolina is $78,940 per year (median $67,230), which is 6.2% below the national average of $84,120.

How does North Carolina rank for Public Relations Specialists pay?

North Carolina ranks 19th 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 North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina earn about $39,840 per year and the 25th percentile is $51,530.

How much do Public Relations Specialists make per hour in North Carolina?

About $37.95 per hour, based on the $78,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Public Relations Specialists work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 9,910 Public Relations Specialists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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