Public Relations Manager salary in Knoxville, TN
Public Relations Managers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $140,660 a year ($67.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,940 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $146,910. Pay here is 10% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $127,390. There are 0.20 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $141,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| 25th percentile | $110,900 | $53.32 |
| Median | $140,660 | $67.63 |
| 75th percentile | $169,010 | $81.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $182,940 | $87.95 |
| Average (mean) | $141,200 | $67.89 |
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 | $11,721.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,860.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,410 |
| Weekly | $2,705 |
| Hourly | $67.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $141,340 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $113,840 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $108,390 | 310 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $119,380 | $57.39 |
| Marketing Manager | $131,040 | $63.00 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| Fundraising Manager | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| General and Operations Managers | $104,590 | $50.29 |
| Managers, All Other | $101,930 | $49.00 |
| Financial Manager | $133,570 | $64.21 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $143,650 | $69.06 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $125,470 | $60.32 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $99,950 | — |
| Industrial Production Manager | $120,020 | $57.70 |
| Construction Manager | $101,910 | $48.99 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $99,780 | $47.97 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for public relations managers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $140,660 a year, or $67.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $182,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of public relations managers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $182,940 a year. The top 25% earn $169,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,790 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $110,900 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 90 public relations managers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.