Public Relations Specialist salary in Akron, OH
Public Relations Specialists in the Akron, OH metro area earn a median of $61,830 a year ($29.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,590 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $64,840. There are 1.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $72,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Akron, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| 25th percentile | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Median | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| 75th percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,590 | $56.05 |
| Average (mean) | $72,990 | $35.09 |
Half of public relations specialists 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 | $5,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,378.08 |
| Weekly | $1,189.04 |
| Hourly | $29.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $73,280 | 1,840 |
| Cleveland, OH | $66,610 | 1,180 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,900 | 460 |
| Toledo, OH | $60,220 | 290 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $59,500 | 130 |
| Lima, OH | $57,970 | 40 |
| Sandusky, OH | $56,030 | 40 |
| Springfield, OH | $54,930 | 30 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $54,300 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $45,140 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for public relations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 |
| Washington | $87,470 |
| California | $85,030 |
| Connecticut | $84,990 |
| New York | $81,250 |
| Colorado | $80,680 |
| Virginia | $80,380 |
| New Jersey | $80,130 |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 |
| Maryland | $79,560 |
See Public Relations Specialist pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Akron, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Editor | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Technical Writer | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,390 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| Interior Designer | $74,720 | $35.92 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $79,640 | $38.29 |
| Floral Designer | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Photographer | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,260 | $30.41 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Akron, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3031. 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 specialist make in Akron, OH?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Akron, OH metro area is $61,830 a year, or $29.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Akron, OH?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Akron, OH metro area earn at least $116,590 a year. The top 25% earn $82,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Akron, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,510 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,730 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Akron, OH?
About 370 public relations specialists are employed in the Akron, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.