Public Relations Manager salary in California
Public Relations Managers in California earn a median of $167,980 a year ($80.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $300,800 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $146,910. California ranks 6th of 48 states for public relations managers pay. There are 0.52 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $185,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,800 | $47.02 |
| 25th percentile | $125,550 | $60.36 |
| Median | $167,980 | $80.76 |
| 75th percentile | $222,310 | $106.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $300,800 | $144.62 |
| Average (mean) | $185,180 | $89.03 |
Half of public relations managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,999.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,460.77 |
| Weekly | $3,230.38 |
| Hourly | $80.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Manager salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $213,510 | 980 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $192,720 | 1,880 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $163,830 | 3,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $161,320 | 460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $157,630 | 650 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $153,010 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $141,230 | 300 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $140,290 | 80 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $138,900 | 30 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $138,900 | 70 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $137,200 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $130,440 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $128,280 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $126,360 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $125,230 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for public relations managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $197,600 |
| New York | $180,880 |
| Virginia | $176,340 |
| New Jersey | $174,980 |
| Massachusetts | $171,740 |
| California | $167,980 |
| Maine | $166,940 |
| Colorado | $162,870 |
| Washington | $159,440 |
| Rhode Island | $156,080 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Marketing Manager | $193,620 | $93.09 |
| Fundraising Manager | $135,870 | $65.32 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $167,230 | $80.40 |
| General and Operations Managers | $124,390 | $59.81 |
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| Financial Manager | $180,770 | $86.91 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $64.02 |
| Chief Executive | $218,600 | $105.10 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $40.01 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations manager make in California?
The median salary for public relations managers in California is $167,980 a year, or $80.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $300,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in California?
The top 10% of public relations managers in California earn at least $300,800 a year. The top 25% earn $222,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,800 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $125,550 or less.
How many public relations managers work in California?
About 9,400 public relations managers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.