Public Relations Manager salary in Tennessee
Public Relations Managers in Tennessee earn a median of $127,390 a year ($61.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $192,800 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $146,910. Tennessee ranks 23rd of 48 states for public relations managers pay. There are 0.21 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $131,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| 25th percentile | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Median | $127,390 | $61.24 |
| 75th percentile | $163,130 | $78.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $192,800 | $92.69 |
| Average (mean) | $131,930 | $63.43 |
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 | $10,615.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,307.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,899.62 |
| Weekly | $2,449.81 |
| Hourly | $61.24 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $141,340 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $140,660 | 90 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $128,040 | $61.56 |
| Marketing Manager | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Fundraising Manager | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| General and Operations Managers | $106,970 | $51.43 |
| Financial Manager | $141,010 | $67.79 |
| Managers, All Other | $99,430 | $47.80 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $158,700 | $76.30 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $127,410 | $61.25 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $119,430 | $57.42 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $97,590 | — |
| Construction Manager | $110,200 | $52.98 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $100,740 | $48.43 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for public relations managers in Tennessee is $127,390 a year, or $61.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $192,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of public relations managers in Tennessee earn at least $192,800 a year. The top 25% earn $163,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,420 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $92,940 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Tennessee?
About 700 public relations managers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.