Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Public relations specialists (SOC 27-3031) employed 283,380 people in May 2025. The median pay is $74,750 a year ($35.94 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,110 and the highest-paid 10% more than $135,150. BLS projects its employment to change by +1.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 23,000 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($102,740), Washington ($87,470), California ($85,030). Most jobs: California (32,710), New York (28,250), Texas (25,220).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 25th percentile | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| Median | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Mean | $84,120 | $40.44 |
| 75th percentile | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $135,150 | $64.98 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 314,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 320,200 |
| Change in jobs | 5,700 |
| Percent change | +1.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 23,000 |
| Self-employed share | 1.1% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,410 | 0.63 | $61,710 | $39,320 | $111,970 | -17% | 21% |
| Alaska | 640 | 1.08 | $70,050 | $45,140 | $117,210 | -6% | 25% |
| Arizona | 5,350 | 0.91 | $66,710 | $45,080 | $111,220 | -11% | 30% |
| Arkansas | 980 | 0.41 | $65,000 | $39,170 | $137,190 | -13% | 18% |
| California | 32,710 | 0.99 | $85,030 | $49,550 | $160,520 | +14% | 30% |
| Colorado | 7,410 | 1.41 | $80,680 | $51,710 | $139,040 | +8% | 27% |
| Connecticut | 1,910 | 0.62 | $84,990 | $51,410 | $162,280 | +14% | 22% |
| Delaware | 930 | 1.05 | $76,120 | $43,720 | $126,290 | +2% | 24% |
| District of Columbia | 16,720 | 13.07 | $102,740 | $64,260 | $202,170 | +37% | 23% |
| Florida | 17,820 | 0.98 | $63,660 | $37,000 | $115,680 | -15% | 34% |
| Georgia | 6,860 | 0.77 | $73,200 | $43,590 | $128,190 | -2% | 25% |
| Hawaii | 1,800 | 1.57 | $63,880 | $42,070 | $104,240 | -15% | 36% |
| Idaho | 1,220 | 0.78 | $61,110 | $36,580 | $101,890 | -18% | 27% |
| Illinois | 6,200 | 0.56 | $76,380 | $47,690 | $139,570 | +2% | 21% |
| Indiana | 3,750 | 0.64 | $64,900 | $42,060 | $105,580 | -13% | 20% |
| Iowa | 2,890 | 1.02 | $62,970 | $38,890 | $104,700 | -16% | 19% |
| Kansas | 2,340 | 0.89 | $64,860 | $39,820 | $105,500 | -13% | 20% |
| Kentucky | 2,580 | 0.71 | $60,150 | $37,190 | $103,530 | -20% | 20% |
| Louisiana | 1,710 | 0.48 | $60,470 | $38,640 | $98,610 | -19% | 21% |
| Maine | 1,400 | 1.20 | $62,450 | $38,890 | $100,770 | -16% | 23% |
| Maryland | 4,190 | 0.83 | $79,560 | $42,060 | $147,220 | +6% | 26% |
| Massachusetts | 6,760 | 1.02 | $79,660 | $51,710 | $139,240 | +7% | 28% |
| Michigan | 7,510 | 0.94 | $65,300 | $38,560 | $117,290 | -13% | 21% |
| Minnesota | 8,260 | 1.54 | $68,620 | $42,220 | $111,180 | -8% | 23% |
| Mississippi | 950 | 0.45 | $59,810 | $38,630 | $96,690 | -20% | 20% |
| Missouri | 4,820 | 0.90 | $61,130 | $38,490 | $102,850 | -18% | 21% |
| Montana | 1,760 | 1.89 | $63,780 | $43,770 | $96,050 | -15% | 22% |
| Nebraska | 1,590 | 0.85 | $61,780 | $41,490 | $93,990 | -17% | 21% |
| Nevada | 1,600 | 0.57 | $73,840 | $44,710 | $120,160 | -1% | 28% |
| New Hampshire | 1,140 | 0.92 | $73,280 | $50,430 | $122,390 | -2% | 26% |
| New Jersey | 4,980 | 0.64 | $80,130 | $49,820 | $138,190 | +7% | 27% |
| New Mexico | 1,130 | 0.71 | $68,700 | $43,080 | $123,110 | -8% | 20% |
| New York | 28,250 | 1.60 | $81,250 | $51,730 | $157,610 | +9% | 24% |
| North Carolina | 9,910 | 1.10 | $67,230 | $39,840 | $136,450 | -10% | 24% |
| North Dakota | 640 | 0.82 | $70,280 | $47,980 | $100,710 | -6% | 17% |
| Ohio | 6,670 | 0.66 | $64,840 | $41,540 | $121,460 | -13% | 20% |
| Oklahoma | 2,280 | 0.73 | $64,920 | $39,380 | $113,780 | -13% | 19% |
| Oregon | 4,510 | 1.26 | $74,900 | $45,190 | $123,880 | +0% | 26% |
| Pennsylvania | 11,180 | 1.01 | $57,460 | $32,810 | $102,330 | -23% | 26% |
| Rhode Island | 1,140 | 1.24 | $77,540 | $47,750 | $129,360 | +4% | 22% |
| South Carolina | 2,950 | 0.70 | $62,730 | $38,920 | $143,940 | -16% | 24% |
| South Dakota | 210 | 0.25 | $64,520 | $48,460 | $102,480 | -14% | 19% |
| Tennessee | 3,380 | 0.57 | $60,900 | $37,450 | $98,370 | -19% | 25% |
| Texas | 25,220 | 0.98 | $65,160 | $39,840 | $109,640 | -13% | 27% |
| Utah | 1,800 | 0.57 | $62,670 | $41,410 | $119,270 | -16% | 31% |
| Vermont | 1,260 | 2.27 | $66,060 | $45,330 | $101,520 | -12% | 24% |
| Virginia | 9,990 | 1.33 | $80,380 | $46,840 | $162,050 | +8% | 25% |
| Washington | 6,430 | 0.99 | $87,470 | $60,760 | $136,020 | +17% | 25% |
| West Virginia | 350 | 0.27 | $56,730 | $39,720 | $103,380 | -24% | 19% |
| Wisconsin | 4,410 | 0.82 | $67,240 | $44,790 | $105,970 | -10% | 20% |
| Wyoming | 480 | 0.93 | $67,490 | $50,430 | $115,210 | -10% | 18% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,200 | $117,620 | $61,130 | $212,960 | 1.06 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 6,290 | $102,520 | $58,030 | $179,710 | 1.45 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 22,810 | $101,680 | $61,520 | $195,990 | 3.99 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,980 | $96,000 | $62,330 | $146,220 | 1.05 |
| New Haven, CT | 420 | $91,530 | $50,450 | $149,230 | 0.82 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,620 | $89,640 | $55,920 | $135,460 | 1.33 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 710 | $87,830 | $53,380 | $158,810 | 0.65 |
| Salem, OR | 450 | $87,740 | $45,380 | $124,190 | 1.31 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 370 | $85,650 | $43,180 | $175,480 | 0.73 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 450 | $84,990 | $52,580 | $167,690 | 0.61 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 610 | $84,990 | $47,260 | $132,480 | 1.39 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 630 | $84,470 | $62,880 | $110,060 | 2.66 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 24,820 | $84,130 | $55,410 | $162,170 | 1.43 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 4,560 | $82,930 | $56,720 | $149,990 | 1.56 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 5,380 | $81,440 | $53,800 | $145,720 | 1.09 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,730 | $81,240 | $50,390 | $147,560 | 0.97 |
| Boulder, CO | 700 | $81,180 | $47,430 | $132,610 | 1.99 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 370 | $80,610 | $48,200 | $161,340 | 0.63 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 11,910 | $79,860 | $48,090 | $136,870 | 1.04 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 4,750 | $78,920 | $46,540 | $132,630 | 0.90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,050 | $78,380 | $48,170 | $129,400 | 1.39 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,880 | $77,570 | $47,750 | $133,870 | 0.76 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,250 | $77,210 | $47,200 | $128,630 | 0.96 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 4,920 | $77,050 | $49,460 | $150,890 | 0.60 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 330 | $77,010 | $46,710 | $125,320 | 1.08 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,470 | $77,010 | $44,970 | $128,020 | 0.47 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,090 | $76,970 | $48,040 | $134,140 | 1.73 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 380 | $76,580 | $45,380 | $128,700 | 1.80 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,760 | $75,730 | $46,870 | $128,120 | 1.46 |
| Worcester, MA | 420 | $75,610 | $47,550 | $123,720 | 0.66 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 750 | $75,550 | $48,870 | $131,690 | 1.31 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 2,470 | $75,190 | $43,920 | $149,990 | 1.00 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 320 | $74,610 | $52,510 | $121,750 | 0.69 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 1,140 | $73,890 | $43,830 | $117,640 | 0.82 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 1,180 | $73,840 | $45,310 | $114,360 | 0.57 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 6,170 | $73,780 | $44,970 | $120,000 | 1.73 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 560 | $73,640 | $47,990 | $127,150 | 0.76 |
| Madison, WI | 1,410 | $73,510 | $49,440 | $108,620 | 1.90 |
| Columbus, OH | 1,840 | $73,280 | $45,190 | $124,430 | 0.91 |
| Fresno, CA | 490 | $72,870 | $39,920 | $113,420 | 0.57 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 480 | $72,390 | $43,860 | $122,920 | 0.99 |
| Rochester, NY | 880 | $71,740 | $43,640 | $115,280 | 0.98 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 820 | $71,550 | $46,080 | $106,250 | 2.06 |
| Anchorage, AK | 360 | $71,510 | $53,240 | $120,240 | 1.11 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,050 | $70,660 | $43,850 | $118,340 | 1.43 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 920 | $70,510 | $40,090 | $119,580 | 1.51 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 3,860 | $70,490 | $46,430 | $116,360 | 0.89 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 310 | $70,410 | $46,110 | $105,580 | 0.74 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 4,170 | $69,470 | $44,320 | $113,270 | 1.77 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 820 | $69,380 | $41,640 | $112,250 | 0.84 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 7,300 | $69,280 | $44,480 | $113,780 | 0.99 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 490 | $68,890 | $45,000 | $110,440 | 1.22 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 2,330 | $68,790 | $44,540 | $149,130 | 1.72 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 490 | $68,600 | $45,390 | $115,920 | 0.61 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 560 | $68,330 | $39,580 | $99,990 | 1.07 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 5,160 | $68,320 | $40,290 | $109,640 | 0.86 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 1,580 | $68,240 | $44,050 | $115,680 | 1.93 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 1,950 | $68,050 | $43,750 | $112,810 | 0.98 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 2,320 | $67,370 | $38,980 | $115,680 | 0.90 |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,180 | $66,610 | $41,250 | $113,690 | 0.63 |
The median is $74,750 a year ($35.94 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $44,110 and the highest-paid tenth over $135,150 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
283,380 in May 2025, and BLS projects +1.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $102,740 (among states with published figures).