Public Relations Manager salary in Illinois
Public Relations Managers in Illinois earn a median of $131,990 a year ($63.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,440 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $146,910. Illinois ranks 19th of 48 states for public relations managers pay. There are 0.46 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $142,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| 25th percentile | $98,400 | $47.31 |
| Median | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| 75th percentile | $169,640 | $81.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,440 | $106.46 |
| Average (mean) | $142,720 | $68.62 |
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 | $10,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,499.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,076.54 |
| Weekly | $2,538.27 |
| Hourly | $63.46 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $133,210 | 2,190 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $132,600 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $130,280 | 450 |
| Peoria, IL | $119,550 | 50 |
| Springfield, IL | $119,110 | 50 |
| Bloomington, IL | $115,970 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $108,130 | 90 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $155,280 | $74.65 |
| Marketing Manager | $162,860 | $78.30 |
| Fundraising Manager | $106,290 | $51.10 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $167,330 | $80.45 |
| General and Operations Managers | $103,570 | $49.80 |
| Financial Manager | $165,880 | $79.75 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $171,730 | $82.56 |
| Managers, All Other | $140,240 | $67.42 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Construction Manager | $109,160 | $52.48 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $113,360 | — |
| Human Resources Manager | $151,370 | $72.78 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $106,860 | $51.38 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $127,270 | $61.19 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for public relations managers in Illinois is $131,990 a year, or $63.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of public relations managers in Illinois earn at least $221,440 a year. The top 25% earn $169,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,730 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $98,400 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Illinois?
About 2,770 public relations managers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.