Public Relations Manager salary in Columbia, SC
Public Relations Managers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $91,550 a year ($44.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,060 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $146,910. Pay here is 13% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $104,920. There are 0.44 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $116,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| 25th percentile | $73,410 | $35.29 |
| Median | $91,550 | $44.02 |
| 75th percentile | $122,690 | $58.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,060 | $101.47 |
| Average (mean) | $116,360 | $55.94 |
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 | $7,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,814.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,521.15 |
| Weekly | $1,760.58 |
| Hourly | $44.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $134,990 | 430 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $125,250 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $110,840 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $103,000 | 130 |
| Florence, SC | $97,940 | 30 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $90,500 | 30 |
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 |
See Public Relations Manager pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Marketing Manager | $136,930 | $65.83 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $159,950 | $76.90 |
| Fundraising Manager | $103,620 | $49.82 |
| General and Operations Managers | $103,950 | $49.98 |
| Financial Manager | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,280 | $51.58 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $141,570 | $68.06 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $101,830 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Food Service Manager | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Construction Manager | $112,180 | $53.93 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $101,150 | $48.63 |
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for public relations managers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $91,550 a year, or $44.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of public relations managers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $211,060 a year. The top 25% earn $122,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,810 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $73,410 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Columbia, SC?
About 170 public relations managers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.