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Public relations representative salary
Average public relations representative salary
$57,476
Understanding Public Relations Representative Salaries
The role of a Public Relations Representative is crucial in shaping the public perception of an organization. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $57,476 per year, with variations depending on factors such as location, industry, and experience level. For instance, representatives in larger metropolitan areas often command higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living.
States like California and New York are known for offering some of the highest salaries for public relations roles, often exceeding the national average. Additionally, professionals with specialized skills in crisis communication or digital marketing may see enhanced compensation. The salary landscape also evolves with trends in public relations, highlighting the importance of continuous professional development.
Career Advancement Opportunities
To maximize earning potential, gaining experience in diverse sectors or pursuing advanced certifications can prove beneficial. Public relations represents a dynamic field with numerous opportunities for growth, making it an attractive career choice for aspiring professionals.
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Where can a Public Relations Representative earn more?
Public relations representative salary estimates from across the web
Average public relations representative salary by state
The average public relations representative salary in Virginia, Connecticut, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average public relations representative salary states are Kansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for public relations representatives
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $97,459 | $46.86 |
| 2 | Virginia | $81,211 | $39.04 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $71,115 | $34.19 |
| 4 | Oregon | $75,132 | $36.12 |
| 5 | Idaho | $69,938 | $33.62 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $78,786 | $37.88 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $77,274 | $37.15 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $68,689 | $33.02 |
| 9 | Washington | $76,739 | $36.89 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $68,238 | $32.81 |
| 11 | Ohio | $73,015 | $35.10 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $67,889 | $32.64 |
| 13 | Delaware | $62,894 | $30.24 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $59,999 | $28.85 |
| 15 | Vermont | $61,871 | $29.75 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $66,828 | $32.13 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $65,404 | $31.44 |
| 18 | California | $68,511 | $32.94 |
| 19 | Georgia | $62,043 | $29.83 |
| 20 | Michigan | $64,798 | $31.15 |
| 21 | Alaska | $64,428 | $30.98 |
| 22 | Nevada | $60,099 | $28.89 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $57,284 | $27.54 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| 25 | Colorado | $64,828 | $31.17 |
| 26 | New York | $62,586 | $30.09 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $60,652 | $29.16 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| 29 | Illinois | $62,144 | $29.88 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $59,387 | $28.55 |
| 31 | Utah | $55,979 | $26.91 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $58,523 | $28.14 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $58,425 | $28.09 |
| 34 | Montana | $54,611 | $26.26 |
| 35 | Maine | $53,001 | $25.48 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $53,720 | $25.83 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $54,382 | $26.15 |
| 38 | Maryland | $57,731 | $27.76 |
| 39 | Indiana | $57,114 | $27.46 |
| 40 | Iowa | $56,351 | $27.09 |
| 41 | Texas | $54,122 | $26.02 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $52,517 | $25.25 |
| 44 | Arizona | $49,706 | $23.90 |
| 45 | Missouri | $54,672 | $26.28 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $51,483 | $24.75 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | $54,243 | $26.08 |
| 48 | Florida | $46,498 | $22.35 |
| 49 | Kansas | $52,018 | $25.01 |
| 50 | Alabama | $49,816 | $23.95 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $45,673 | $21.96 |
Highest paying cities for public relations representatives
The highest-paying cities for public relations representatives are McLean, VA, San Francisco, CA, and Portland, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLean, VA | $83,656 | $40.22 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $75,928 | $36.50 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $75,222 | $36.16 |
| 4 | Newark, OH | $72,823 | $35.01 |
| 5 | Aurora, CO | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| 6 | Ann Arbor, MI | $64,562 | $31.04 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $62,554 | $30.07 |
| 8 | Lafayette, IN | $57,179 | $27.49 |
| 9 | Kaysville, UT | $56,043 | $26.94 |
| 10 | Pflugerville, TX | $54,461 | $26.18 |
| 11 | Mooresville, NC | $54,090 | $26.00 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $49,784 | $23.93 |
| 13 | Melbourne, FL | $47,555 | $22.86 |
Public relations representative salary details
A public relations representative's salary ranges from $36,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $89,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public relations representative's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| Average | $57,476 | $4,790 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
Highest paying public relations representative jobs
The highest paying types of public relations representatives are communications consultant, communications specialist, and media relations specialist.
| 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 |
| Digital Media Internship | $32,033 | $2,669 | $15.40 | 72,449 |
| Social Media Internship | $31,145 | $2,595 | $14.97 | 79,411 |
| Publicist | $50,679 | $4,223 | $24.36 | 7,343 |
| Government Relations Internship | $34,678 | $2,890 | $16.67 | 58,470 |
Top companies hiring public relations representatives now:
Which companies pay public relations representatives the most?
Public relations representative salaries at Brex and Moda Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public relations representative salary at companies like Qualcomm and GEICO are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brex | $108,902 | $52.36 |
| 2 | Moda Health | $93,222 | $44.82 |
| 3 | Qualcomm | $89,845 | $43.19 |
| 4 | GEICO | $85,213 | $40.97 |
| 5 | First Security Bank | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| 6 | Progressive | $76,462 | $36.76 |
| 7 | Northrop Grumman | $76,271 | $36.67 |
| 8 | Gannett | $71,504 | $34.38 |
| 9 | Korean Community Services Inc | $68,884 | $33.12 |
| 10 | University of Michigan | $67,906 | $32.65 |
| 11 | Paul Smith's College | $66,718 | $32.08 |
| 12 | BluePearl Vet | $65,321 | $31.40 |
| 13 | Independent Diplomat | $64,431 | $30.98 |
| 14 | PGT Trucking | $64,317 | $30.92 |
| 15 | IGT | $60,946 | $29.30 |
| 16 | Ods Technologies, L.P. | $60,210 | $28.95 |
| 17 | Team Penske | $60,032 | $28.86 |
| 18 | Lifesteps | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| 19 | Vanguard Services | $57,226 | $27.51 |
| 20 | Panda Express | $52,360 | $25.17 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public relations representative salary trends
The average public relations representative salary has risen by $8,803 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public relations representative earned $48,673 annually, but today, they earn $57,476 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for public relations representatives over the last decade.
Compare public relations representative salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public relations representative salary over time
Compare public relations representative salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public relations representative salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,500 | $27.63 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $56,000 | $26.90 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $54,900 | $26.40 | +1.2% |
| 2022 | $54,300 | $26.09 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $53,100 | $25.53 | +2.2% |
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