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Public information specialist salary
Average public information specialist salary
$47,725
The Public Information Specialist plays a crucial role in managing and disseminating information to the public. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is around $47,725 annually, translating to approximately $23 per hour. Compensation can vary significantly depending on factors such as geographic location, industry, and years of experience. For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries compared to others. In addition to salary, job opportunities exist in various sectors, including government, healthcare, and non-profit organizations. Understanding the salary landscape can help aspiring Public Information Specialists make informed career decisions. To further assist job seekers, this page includes salary estimates from across the web, along with insights into the highest paying states and industries. By leveraging this information, individuals can navigate their career paths more effectively and target positions that align with their financial goals.
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Where can a Public Information Specialist earn more?
Public information specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average public information specialist salary by state
The average public information specialist salary in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average public information specialist salary states are Alabama, Kansas, and Montana.
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- County view
Highest paying states for public information specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $55,143 | $26.51 |
| 2 | New York | $62,701 | $30.14 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $68,303 | $32.84 |
| 4 | Washington | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $59,928 | $28.81 |
| 6 | California | $59,451 | $28.58 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $61,928 | $29.77 |
| 8 | Alaska | $50,903 | $24.47 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $55,498 | $26.68 |
| 10 | Arizona | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| 11 | Ohio | $56,070 | $26.96 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $46,533 | $22.37 |
| 13 | Delaware | $50,669 | $24.36 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $51,307 | $24.67 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $51,364 | $24.69 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $47,523 | $22.85 |
| 17 | Vermont | $45,034 | $21.65 |
| 18 | Colorado | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 19 | Virginia | $53,462 | $25.70 |
| 20 | Nevada | $44,076 | $21.19 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $46,244 | $22.23 |
| 22 | Illinois | $46,343 | $22.28 |
| 23 | Oregon | $44,552 | $21.42 |
| 24 | Michigan | $45,774 | $22.01 |
| 25 | Maryland | $53,719 | $25.83 |
| 26 | Texas | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $45,897 | $22.07 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $44,231 | $21.26 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $39,763 | $19.12 |
| 31 | Idaho | $43,157 | $20.75 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $39,135 | $18.81 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $40,576 | $19.51 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $44,395 | $21.34 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $38,737 | $18.62 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $41,331 | $19.87 |
| 37 | Utah | $37,808 | $18.18 |
| 38 | Indiana | $42,166 | $20.27 |
| 39 | Iowa | $38,025 | $18.28 |
| 40 | Montana | $35,473 | $17.05 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| 42 | Georgia | $37,385 | $17.97 |
| 43 | Maine | $38,072 | $18.30 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $36,683 | $17.64 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $38,766 | $18.64 |
| 46 | Florida | $34,368 | $16.52 |
| 47 | Missouri | $38,089 | $18.31 |
| 48 | Kansas | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| 49 | Alabama | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $33,886 | $16.29 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $33,262 | $15.99 |
Highest paying cities for public information specialists
The highest-paying cities for public information specialists are New York, NY, Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $62,862 | $30.22 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $60,686 | $29.18 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $57,701 | $27.74 |
| 5 | Arlington, VA | $55,411 | $26.64 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $55,378 | $26.62 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $47,278 | $22.73 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $46,636 | $22.42 |
| 9 | Saint Paul, MN | $45,894 | $22.06 |
| 10 | Conway, AR | $45,837 | $22.04 |
| 11 | San Marcos, TX | $45,179 | $21.72 |
| 12 | Albuquerque, NM | $44,501 | $21.39 |
| 13 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,906 | $20.15 |
| 14 | Fayetteville, NC | $38,414 | $18.47 |
| 15 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $34,674 | $16.67 |
Public information specialist salary details
A public information specialist's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $67,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public information specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $47,725 | $3,977 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying public information specialist jobs
The highest paying types of public information specialists are communications consultant, senior communications specialist, and information specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communications Consultant | $91,455 | $7,621 | $43.97 | 29,942 |
| Public Relations Internship | $30,868 | $2,572 | $14.84 | 65,163 |
| Public Relations Consultant | $50,333 | $4,194 | $24.20 | 27,882 |
| Public Relations Coordinator | $46,225 | $3,852 | $22.22 | 35,324 |
| Publications Coordinator | $48,593 | $4,049 | $23.36 | 27,541 |
| Public Relations | $48,383 | $4,032 | $23.26 | 22,721 |
Top companies hiring public information specialists now:
Which companies pay public information specialists the most?
Public information specialist salaries at Chicago State University and National Radio Astronomy Observatory are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public information specialist salary at companies like New York State Restaurant Association and Department of Public Social Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago State University | $62,126 | $29.87 |
| 2 | National Radio Astronomy Observatory | $60,579 | $29.12 |
| 3 | New York State Restaurant Association | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| 4 | Department of Public Social Services | $53,252 | $25.60 |
| 5 | Wsp USA Buildings Inc. | $52,257 | $25.12 |
| 6 | Travis County | $52,079 | $25.04 |
| 7 | ROC Service | $51,456 | $24.74 |
| 8 | City of Austin | $51,288 | $24.66 |
| 9 | Minnesota State Fair | $51,222 | $24.63 |
| 10 | University of Washington | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| 11 | City of Fayetteville, Georgia - Government | $46,093 | $22.16 |
| 12 | Snc-lavalin Project Services, Inc. | $43,279 | $20.81 |
| 13 | County of Riverside | $43,098 | $20.72 |
| 14 | County Of Los Angeles Public Library | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| 15 | My Florida Regional Mls | $41,515 | $19.96 |
| 16 | Texas State Teachers Association | $36,537 | $17.57 |
| 17 | State Of Idaho | $35,295 | $16.97 |
| 18 | Indiana State Police | $34,662 | $16.66 |
| 19 | State of Ohio | $32,731 | $15.74 |
| 20 | State Of Florida | $32,562 | $15.65 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public Information Specialist salary by industry
The average public information specialist salary varies across industries:
- The average public information specialist salary in the media industry is $51,908, the highest of any industry.
- The average public information specialist salary in the finance industry is $51,767.
- Public information specialists in the education industry earn an average salary of $45,453, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for public information specialists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $51,908 | $24.96 |
| 2 | Professional | $51,767 | $24.89 |
| 3 | Government | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $46,419 | $22.32 |
| 5 | Education | $45,453 | $21.85 |
High paying public information specialist jobs
Public information specialist salary trends
The average public information specialist salary has risen by $7,309 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public information specialist earned $40,416 annually, but today, they earn $47,725 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for public information specialists over the last decade.
Compare public information specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public information specialist salary over time
Compare public information specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public information specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,700 | $22.94 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $46,500 | $22.34 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $45,600 | $21.92 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $45,100 | $21.66 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $44,100 | $21.20 | +2.2% |
Recently added public information specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rhode Island | Specialist, Public Information & Communications | Kingston, RI | 06/26/2025 | $68,000 |
| State of New York | Public Information Specialist 1 (Digital Content) | Albany, NY | 06/26/2025 | $66,951 |
| State of Florida | OPS Public Information Specialist | Saint Petersburg, FL | 06/21/2025 | $41,740 |
| State of Arkansas | Public Information Specialist | Little Rock, AR | 06/17/2025 | $36,155 |
| City of Columbia, Mo | Public Information Specialist | Columbia, MO | 06/11/2025 | $46,895 |
| O2EPCM, Inc. | Public Information Specialist | Los Angeles, CA | 06/09/2025 | $88,000 |
| State of New York | Public Information Specialist 2 | Albany, NY | 05/18/2025 | $86,681 |
| Insight Global | Public Information Specialist | Sacramento, CA | 05/16/2025 | $68,871 |
| Cumminggroup | Public Information Specialist | Los Angeles, CA | 04/29/2025 | $95,000 |
| O2EPCM, Inc. | Public Information Specialist | Los Angeles, CA | 04/28/2025 | $88,000 |
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