Public Relations Manager salary in Washington
Public Relations Managers in Washington earn a median of $159,440 a year ($76.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $104,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $255,280 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $146,910. Washington ranks 9th of 48 states for public relations managers pay. There are 0.45 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $168,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| 25th percentile | $128,760 | $61.91 |
| Median | $159,440 | $76.65 |
| 75th percentile | $198,500 | $95.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $255,280 | $122.73 |
| Average (mean) | $168,850 | $81.18 |
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 | $13,286.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,643.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,132.31 |
| Weekly | $3,066.15 |
| Hourly | $76.65 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $166,590 | 1,110 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $148,090 | 150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $140,110 | 1,020 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $137,240 | 80 |
| Bellingham, WA | $128,370 | 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $174,000 | $83.65 |
| Marketing Manager | $172,270 | $82.82 |
| Fundraising Manager | $137,010 | $65.87 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $163,380 | $78.55 |
| General and Operations Managers | $133,750 | $64.30 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $209,370 | $100.66 |
| Financial Manager | $174,840 | $84.06 |
| Managers, All Other | $164,160 | $78.92 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $145,290 | $69.85 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $166,590 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $189,680 | $91.19 |
| Construction Manager | $155,070 | $74.55 |
| Industrial Production Manager | $145,210 | $69.81 |
| Human Resources Manager | $165,530 | $79.58 |
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 Washington?
The median salary for public relations managers in Washington is $159,440 a year, or $76.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $104,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $255,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Washington?
The top 10% of public relations managers in Washington earn at least $255,280 a year. The top 25% earn $198,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $104,500 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $128,760 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Washington?
About 1,610 public relations managers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.