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Public relations account executive salary
Average public relations account executive salary
$53,485
Understanding the Salary of Public Relations Account Executives
The average salary for a Public Relations Account Executive is approximately $53,485 per year, translating to about $26 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors like location, years of experience, and the specific industry sector.
For example, California and New York are among the states offering the highest salaries, showcasing a competitive job market in urban areas. These regions typically present numerous opportunities for professionals equipped with strong communication and strategic skills.
Furthermore, entry-level positions may start lower, while seasoned executives can command salaries exceeding $70,000 annually, depending on their expertise and portfolio. This variation emphasizes the importance of career growth and specialization within the public relations field. To maximize earning potential, consider continuous professional development and networking within the industry.
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Where can a Public Relations Account Executive earn more?
Public relations account executive salary estimates from across the web
Average public relations account executive salary by state
The highest-paying states for public relations account executives are Virginia, Washington, and Connecticut. The lowest average public relations account executive salary states are Oklahoma, Florida, and Kansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for public relations account executives
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $73,372 | $35.27 |
| 2 | Washington | $68,952 | $33.15 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $67,876 | $32.63 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $67,748 | $32.57 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $67,716 | $32.56 |
| 6 | Idaho | $60,894 | $29.28 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $58,296 | $28.03 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $60,709 | $29.19 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $59,407 | $28.56 |
| 10 | Arizona | $56,828 | $27.32 |
| 11 | Ohio | $63,911 | $30.73 |
| 12 | Oregon | $67,859 | $32.62 |
| 13 | Georgia | $55,388 | $26.63 |
| 14 | Arkansas | $56,265 | $27.05 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $58,739 | $28.24 |
| 16 | Delaware | $55,942 | $26.90 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| 18 | Alaska | $61,955 | $29.79 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $57,543 | $27.66 |
| 20 | Colorado | $56,563 | $27.19 |
| 21 | New York | $62,154 | $29.88 |
| 22 | Vermont | $51,944 | $24.97 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $52,584 | $25.28 |
| 24 | California | $62,577 | $30.09 |
| 25 | Michigan | $52,377 | $25.18 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $54,174 | $26.05 |
| 27 | Utah | $48,078 | $23.11 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $50,217 | $24.14 |
| 29 | Nevada | $49,731 | $23.91 |
| 30 | Maryland | $51,588 | $24.80 |
| 31 | Texas | $47,833 | $23.00 |
| 32 | Illinois | $50,923 | $24.48 |
| 33 | Nebraska | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| 34 | Montana | $47,965 | $23.06 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $52,086 | $25.04 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $49,541 | $23.82 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $49,253 | $23.68 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| 39 | Indiana | $49,138 | $23.62 |
| 40 | Iowa | $48,243 | $23.19 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| 42 | Missouri | $46,608 | $22.41 |
| 43 | Florida | $44,613 | $21.45 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $48,422 | $23.28 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $47,744 | $22.95 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $45,186 | $21.72 |
| 47 | Kansas | $44,585 | $21.44 |
| 48 | Maine | $44,173 | $21.24 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $45,061 | $21.66 |
| 50 | Alabama | $44,012 | $21.16 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $40,021 | $19.24 |
Highest paying cities for public relations account executives
The highest-paying cities for public relations account executives are McLean, VA, Seattle, WA, and San Francisco, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean, VA | $74,911 | $36.01 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $69,611 | $33.47 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $68,048 | $32.72 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $67,972 | $32.68 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $67,799 | $32.60 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $67,725 | $32.56 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $62,145 | $29.88 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $60,694 | $29.18 |
| 9 | Boston, MA | $58,692 | $28.22 |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $56,899 | $27.36 |
| 11 | Denver, CO | $56,623 | $27.22 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $55,447 | $26.66 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $52,512 | $25.25 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| 15 | Las Vegas, NV | $49,126 | $23.62 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $48,899 | $23.51 |
| 17 | Philadelphia, PA | $48,845 | $23.48 |
| 18 | Salt Lake City, UT | $48,203 | $23.17 |
| 19 | Charlotte, NC | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| 20 | Dallas, TX | $47,918 | $23.04 |
Public relations account executive salary details
A public relations account executive's salary ranges from $36,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $79,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public relations account executive's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,000 | $5,417 | $31 |
| Average | $53,485 | $4,457 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
Highest paying public relations account executive jobs
The highest paying types of public relations account executives are public relations director, communications consultant, and public relations manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publicist | $50,679 | $4,223 | $24.36 | 7,343 |
| Communications Consultant | $91,455 | $7,621 | $43.97 | 29,942 |
| Communications Internship | $33,458 | $2,788 | $16.09 | 62,641 |
| Community Relations Coordinator | $45,632 | $3,803 | $21.94 | 46,318 |
| Public Relations | $48,383 | $4,032 | $23.26 | 22,721 |
| Public Relations Coordinator | $46,225 | $3,852 | $22.22 | 35,324 |
Top companies hiring public relations account executives now:
Which companies pay public relations account executives the most?
Public relations account executive salaries at Edelman Financial Engines and Chubb are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public relations account executive salary at companies like Lopez Negrete Communications and Wood Gutmann & Bogart Insurance Brokers are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edelman Financial Engines | $101,292 | $48.70 |
| 2 | Chubb | $71,251 | $34.26 |
| 3 | Lopez Negrete Communications | $70,190 | $33.75 |
| 4 | Wood Gutmann & Bogart Insurance Brokers | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| 5 | Innovacare Health | $67,375 | $32.39 |
| 6 | Fahlgren Mortine | $63,901 | $30.72 |
| 7 | Wpp Us Holdings Inc | $63,364 | $30.46 |
| 8 | Ogilvy | $62,838 | $30.21 |
| 9 | Bader Rutter | $62,614 | $30.10 |
| 10 | BCW Global | $62,599 | $30.10 |
| 11 | Gatesman | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| 12 | Horizon Media | $61,955 | $29.79 |
| 13 | Brant Lake Camp | $60,289 | $28.99 |
| 14 | The Merritt Group | $59,935 | $28.81 |
| 15 | GoDaddy | $59,809 | $28.75 |
| 16 | Derris | $58,462 | $28.11 |
| 17 | Baldwin & Obenauf | $58,225 | $27.99 |
| 18 | LaunchSquad | $58,112 | $27.94 |
| 19 | Firebrand Technologies | $56,675 | $27.25 |
| 20 | VaynerMedia | $55,996 | $26.92 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public relations account executive salary trends
The average public relations account executive salary has risen by $8,192 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public relations account executive earned $45,293 annually, but today, they earn $53,485 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for public relations account executives over the last decade.
Compare public relations account executive salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public relations account executive salary over time
Compare public relations account executive salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public relations account executive salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,500 | $25.71 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $52,100 | $25.03 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $51,100 | $24.56 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $50,500 | $24.28 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $49,400 | $23.75 | +2.2% |
Recently added public relations account executive salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mjh Life Sciences, LLC | Public Relations Executive | Cranbury, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $125,000 |
| Medley Incorporated | Public Relations Account Executive | Houston, TX | 06/24/2025 | $70,000 |
| Chubb | PRS Premier Executive Underwriter | Downe, NJ | 06/23/2025 | $99,900 |
| Highwire Pr | Public Relations Senior Account Executive (B2B Technology, Cybersecurity, Financial Services) | Chicago, IL | 06/22/2025 | $63,000 |
| Highwire Pr | Public Relations Senior Account Executive (B2B Technology, Cybersecurity, Financial Services) | Los Angeles, CA | 06/21/2025 | $72,000 |
| Bread & Butter Pr | PR Account Executive (DFW) | Dallas, TX | 06/17/2025 | $52,175 |
| Finn Partners | Public Relations Senior Account Executive-Financial Services PR | New York, NY | 06/13/2025 | $65,000 |
| Finn Partners | Account Executive, PR & Integrated Marketing Communications, Global Consumer Practice | San Francisco, CA | 06/13/2025 | $64,500 |
| Stagwell Global | Public Relations Account Executive | San Francisco, CA | 06/12/2025 | $55,000 |
| Bread & Butter Pr | PR Account Executive (LAX) | Los Angeles, CA | 06/12/2025 | $52,175 |
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