Public Relations Specialist salary in Albuquerque, NM
Public Relations Specialists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $73,640 a year ($35.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,150 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 7% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $68,700. There are 1.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $78,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| 25th percentile | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Median | $73,640 | $35.40 |
| 75th percentile | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,150 | $61.13 |
| Average (mean) | $78,050 | $37.52 |
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 | $6,136.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,068.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,832.31 |
| Weekly | $1,416.15 |
| Hourly | $35.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $69,410 | 130 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $53,540 | 90 |
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $75,230 | $36.17 |
| Technical Writer | $86,790 | $41.72 |
| Editor | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $56,190 | $27.01 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Writers and Authors | $53,490 | $25.72 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,380 | — |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Photographer | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Floral Designer | $35,000 | $16.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $73,640 a year, or $35.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $127,150 a year. The top 25% earn $86,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,990 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $58,530 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 560 public relations specialists are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.