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Public affairs assistant salary
Average public affairs assistant salary
$50,453
Average Public Affairs Assistant Salary
The average salary for a Public Affairs Assistant is approximately $50,453 annually, equating to about $24 per hour. This figure can vary based on factors such as location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For instance, those in larger metropolitan areas often see higher salaries due to demand and cost of living considerations.
Top Paying States
States like California, New York, and Texas are known for offering competitive salaries for Public Affairs Assistants. Positions in these states typically command higher compensation, reflecting the greater demand for skilled professionals in public relations and communications roles.
Salary by Experience
Entry-level positions may start around $40,000, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $60,000, depending on their expertise and the complexity of their responsibilities. Additionally, roles in government agencies or large corporations often include benefits that can enhance overall compensation.
Conclusion
Understanding salary dynamics is crucial for aspiring Public Affairs Assistants. By researching average salaries by state and city, individuals can make informed decisions about their career paths and negotiate better compensation packages. Explore opportunities on job boards like Zippia to find the right fit for your career goals.
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Where can a Public Affairs Assistant earn more?
Average public affairs assistant salary by state
The highest-paying states for public affairs assistants are Washington, Connecticut, and New York. The lowest average public affairs assistant salary states are Louisiana, Alabama, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for public affairs assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $105,034 | $50.50 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $83,561 | $40.17 |
| 3 | New York | $89,812 | $43.18 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $93,211 | $44.81 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $88,076 | $42.34 |
| 6 | Washington | $99,256 | $47.72 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $80,585 | $38.74 |
| 8 | Oregon | $83,618 | $40.20 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $81,589 | $39.23 |
| 10 | Alaska | $77,661 | $37.34 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $71,369 | $34.31 |
| 12 | Ohio | $77,098 | $37.07 |
| 13 | Maryland | $74,968 | $36.04 |
| 14 | California | $70,566 | $33.93 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $78,426 | $37.70 |
| 16 | Virginia | $67,054 | $32.24 |
| 17 | Vermont | $67,778 | $32.59 |
| 18 | Delaware | $71,424 | $34.34 |
| 19 | Michigan | $67,657 | $32.53 |
| 20 | Illinois | $61,713 | $29.67 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $58,272 | $28.02 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $74,309 | $35.73 |
| 23 | Montana | $58,266 | $28.01 |
| 24 | Idaho | $70,193 | $33.75 |
| 25 | Colorado | $63,303 | $30.43 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $63,168 | $30.37 |
| 27 | Nevada | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| 28 | Arizona | $58,165 | $27.96 |
| 29 | Maine | $57,359 | $27.58 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $57,364 | $27.58 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $56,811 | $27.31 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $56,858 | $27.34 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $56,227 | $27.03 |
| 34 | Utah | $54,375 | $26.14 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $52,577 | $25.28 |
| 36 | Indiana | $55,107 | $26.49 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $52,897 | $25.43 |
| 38 | Georgia | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $54,613 | $26.26 |
| 40 | Missouri | $49,072 | $23.59 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $53,579 | $25.76 |
| 42 | Texas | $47,811 | $22.99 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $45,525 | $21.89 |
| 44 | Iowa | $53,341 | $25.64 |
| 45 | Alabama | $45,311 | $21.78 |
| 46 | Kansas | $46,343 | $22.28 |
| 47 | Florida | $37,139 | $17.86 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $43,453 | $20.89 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $45,339 | $21.80 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $30,447 | $14.64 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $40,697 | $19.57 |
Highest paying cities for public affairs assistants
The highest-paying cities for public affairs assistants are Washington, DC, Olympia, WA, and Oakland, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $105,689 | $50.81 |
| 2 | Olympia, WA | $100,188 | $48.17 |
| 3 | Oakland, CA | $81,813 | $39.33 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $80,667 | $38.78 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $63,315 | $30.44 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $62,398 | $30.00 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $54,590 | $26.25 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT | $54,576 | $26.24 |
| 9 | Kansas City, MO | $49,272 | $23.69 |
| 10 | Paris, TX | $48,613 | $23.37 |
Public affairs assistant salary details
A public affairs assistant's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $91,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public affairs assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $91,000 | $7,583 | $44 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| Average | $50,453 | $4,204 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying public affairs assistant jobs
The highest paying types of public affairs assistants are communications consultant, public affairs specialist, and public affairs officer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Account Coordinator | $39,973 | $3,331 | $19.22 | 93,480 |
| Media Coordinator | $47,471 | $3,956 | $22.82 | 35,285 |
| Social Media Internship | $31,145 | $2,595 | $14.97 | 79,411 |
| Digital Media Internship | $32,033 | $2,669 | $15.40 | 72,449 |
| Media Consultant | $53,443 | $4,454 | $25.69 | 28,768 |
| Communications Coordinator | $47,075 | $3,923 | $22.63 | 39,790 |
Top companies hiring public affairs assistants now:
Which companies pay public affairs assistants the most?
Public affairs assistant salaries at Hunton & Williams LLP and IIF are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public affairs assistant salary at companies like Kaiser Permanente and The George Washington University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunton & Williams LLP | $124,332 | $59.77 |
| 2 | IIF | $103,518 | $49.77 |
| 3 | Kaiser Permanente | $101,410 | $48.75 |
| 4 | The George Washington University | $85,102 | $40.91 |
| 5 | BioFire Diagnostics | $54,652 | $26.27 |
| 6 | Boston University | $53,910 | $25.92 |
| 7 | TAD PGS | $48,224 | $23.18 |
| 8 | Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs | $45,551 | $21.90 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public affairs assistant salary trends
The average public affairs assistant salary has risen by $7,728 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public affairs assistant earned $42,725 annually, but today, they earn $50,453 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for public affairs assistants over the last decade.
Compare public affairs assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public affairs assistant salary over time
Compare public affairs assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public affairs assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $50,500 | $24.26 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $49,100 | $23.62 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $48,200 | $23.17 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $47,600 | $22.90 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $46,600 | $22.41 | +2.2% |
Recently added public affairs assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn State University | Student (Undergraduate)-Public Affairs Research Assistant | Parkesburg, PA | 04/22/2025 | $33,392 |
| LG Electronics | Public Affairs Administrative Assistant (Temporary) | Lincolnshire, IL | 03/26/2025 | $42,998 |
| The Pennsylvania State University | Student (Undergraduate)-Public Affairs Research Assistant | Harrisburg, PA | 02/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| LG Electronics | Public Affairs Administrative Assistant (Temporary) | Lincolnshire, IL | 02/18/2025 | $42,998 |
| LG | Public Affairs Administrative Assistant (Temporary) | Lincolnshire, IL | 02/18/2025 | $42,998 |
| Tech Cratic | C.N.A : 6 AM-6 PM With Every Other Weekend | Kane, IL | 02/17/2025 | $36,523 |
| City of Long Beach | Public Affairs Assistant-Provisional | Long Beach, CA | 02/13/2025 | $66,346 |
| Saint Francis House | Philanthropy and External Affairs Assistant | Boston, MA | 01/31/2025 | $43,452 |
| Invariant | Communications/Public Affairs | Fine, NY | 01/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Chase Center | Assistant, Public Affairs | San Francisco, CA | 01/26/2025 | $45,914 |
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