Public Relations Specialists Salary by State
The national median pay for public relations specialists is $74,750 a year. By state, it ranges from $56,730 in West Virginia to $102,740 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $44,110
- 25th percentile
- $56,260
- Median
- $74,750
- 75th percentile
- $100,370
- Top 10%
- $135,150
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 283,380 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $102,740 | +37% | $64,260 | $202,170 | 16,720 |
| 2 | Washington | $87,470 | +17% | $60,760 | $136,020 | 6,430 |
| 3 | California | $85,030 | +14% | $49,550 | $160,520 | 32,710 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $84,990 | +14% | $51,410 | $162,280 | 1,910 |
| 5 | New York | $81,250 | +9% | $51,730 | $157,610 | 28,250 |
| 6 | Colorado | $80,680 | +8% | $51,710 | $139,040 | 7,410 |
| 7 | Virginia | $80,380 | +8% | $46,840 | $162,050 | 9,990 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $80,130 | +7% | $49,820 | $138,190 | 4,980 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $79,660 | +7% | $51,710 | $139,240 | 6,760 |
| 10 | Maryland | $79,560 | +6% | $42,060 | $147,220 | 4,190 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $77,540 | +4% | $47,750 | $129,360 | 1,140 |
| 12 | Illinois | $76,380 | +2% | $47,690 | $139,570 | 6,200 |
| 13 | Delaware | $76,120 | +2% | $43,720 | $126,290 | 930 |
| 14 | Oregon | $74,900 | 0% | $45,190 | $123,880 | 4,510 |
| 15 | Nevada | $73,840 | −1% | $44,710 | $120,160 | 1,600 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $73,280 | −2% | $50,430 | $122,390 | 1,140 |
| 17 | Georgia | $73,200 | −2% | $43,590 | $128,190 | 6,860 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $70,280 | −6% | $47,980 | $100,710 | 640 |
| 19 | Alaska | $70,050 | −6% | $45,140 | $117,210 | 640 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $68,700 | −8% | $43,080 | $123,110 | 1,130 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $68,620 | −8% | $42,220 | $111,180 | 8,260 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $67,490 | −10% | $50,430 | $115,210 | 480 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $67,240 | −10% | $44,790 | $105,970 | 4,410 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $67,230 | −10% | $39,840 | $136,450 | 9,910 |
| 25 | Arizona | $66,710 | −11% | $45,080 | $111,220 | 5,350 |
| 26 | Vermont | $66,060 | −12% | $45,330 | $101,520 | 1,260 |
| 27 | Michigan | $65,300 | −13% | $38,560 | $117,290 | 7,510 |
| 28 | Texas | $65,160 | −13% | $39,840 | $109,640 | 25,220 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $65,000 | −13% | $39,170 | $137,190 | 980 |
| 30 | Oklahoma | $64,920 | −13% | $39,380 | $113,780 | 2,280 |
| 31 | Indiana | $64,900 | −13% | $42,060 | $105,580 | 3,750 |
| 32 | Kansas | $64,860 | −13% | $39,820 | $105,500 | 2,340 |
| 33 | Ohio | $64,840 | −13% | $41,540 | $121,460 | 6,670 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $64,520 | −14% | $48,460 | $102,480 | 210 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $63,880 | −15% | $42,070 | $104,240 | 1,800 |
| 36 | Montana | $63,780 | −15% | $43,770 | $96,050 | 1,760 |
| 37 | Florida | $63,660 | −15% | $37,000 | $115,680 | 17,820 |
| 38 | Iowa | $62,970 | −16% | $38,890 | $104,700 | 2,890 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $62,730 | −16% | $38,920 | $143,940 | 2,950 |
| 40 | Utah | $62,670 | −16% | $41,410 | $119,270 | 1,800 |
| 41 | Maine | $62,450 | −16% | $38,890 | $100,770 | 1,400 |
| 42 | Nebraska | $61,780 | −17% | $41,490 | $93,990 | 1,590 |
| 43 | Alabama | $61,710 | −17% | $39,320 | $111,970 | 2,410 |
| 44 | Missouri | $61,130 | −18% | $38,490 | $102,850 | 4,820 |
| 45 | Idaho | $61,110 | −18% | $36,580 | $101,890 | 1,220 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $60,900 | −19% | $37,450 | $98,370 | 3,380 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $60,470 | −19% | $38,640 | $98,610 | 1,710 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $60,150 | −20% | $37,190 | $103,530 | 2,580 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $59,810 | −20% | $38,630 | $96,690 | 950 |
| 50 | Pennsylvania | $57,460 | −23% | $32,810 | $102,330 | 11,180 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $56,730 | −24% | $39,720 | $103,380 | 350 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Public Relations Specialists salary questions
Which state pays public relations specialists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $102,740 a year (+37% vs. the national median of $74,750). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays public relations specialists the least?
West Virginia, with a median of $56,730 a year (−24% vs. national).
Where do most public relations specialists work?
California has the most jobs, about 32,710, with a median of $85,030.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.