Public Relations Manager salary in Columbus, OH
Public Relations Managers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $123,970 a year ($59.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $231,240 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $146,910. Pay here is 4% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $118,670. There are 0.28 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $143,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,930 | $27.37 |
| 25th percentile | $92,380 | $44.41 |
| Median | $123,970 | $59.60 |
| 75th percentile | $161,760 | $77.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $231,240 | $111.17 |
| Average (mean) | $143,870 | $69.17 |
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 | $10,330.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,165.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,768.08 |
| Weekly | $2,384.04 |
| Hourly | $59.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $129,710 | 340 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $119,290 | 90 |
| Cleveland, OH | $111,100 | 320 |
| Akron, OH | $98,500 | 70 |
| Toledo, OH | $96,830 | 60 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $138,580 | $66.63 |
| Marketing Manager | $134,420 | $64.62 |
| Fundraising Manager | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $131,050 | $63.00 |
| General and Operations Managers | $102,590 | $49.32 |
| Financial Manager | $145,630 | $70.02 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $167,630 | $80.59 |
| Construction Manager | $105,200 | $50.58 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $61,880 | $29.75 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $101,000 | — |
| Food Service Manager | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $105,360 | $50.65 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $104,050 | $50.02 |
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for public relations managers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $123,970 a year, or $59.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $231,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of public relations managers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $231,240 a year. The top 25% earn $161,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,930 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $92,380 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Columbus, OH?
About 310 public relations managers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.