Public Relations Manager salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Public Relations Managers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $119,340 a year ($57.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,220 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $146,910. Pay here is 5% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $113,980. There are 0.49 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $136,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,650 | $39.26 |
| 25th percentile | $97,510 | $46.88 |
| Median | $119,340 | $57.37 |
| 75th percentile | $151,260 | $72.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $222,220 | $106.84 |
| Average (mean) | $136,260 | $65.51 |
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 | $9,945 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,972.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,590 |
| Weekly | $2,295 |
| Hourly | $57.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $141,360 | 990 |
| Madison, WI | $117,120 | 270 |
| Green Bay, WI | $110,960 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $106,230 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $144,560 | $69.50 |
| Marketing Manager | $130,700 | $62.84 |
| Fundraising Manager | $126,950 | $61.04 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $144,960 | $69.69 |
| General and Operations Managers | $125,490 | $60.33 |
| Financial Manager | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Managers, All Other | $129,300 | $62.17 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $161,220 | $77.51 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| Construction Manager | $119,170 | $57.29 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $116,990 | $56.25 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $143,570 | $69.02 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,430 | $48.28 |
| Human Resources Manager | $136,530 | $65.64 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for public relations managers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $119,340 a year, or $57.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of public relations managers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $222,220 a year. The top 25% earn $151,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,650 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $97,510 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 400 public relations managers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.