Public Relations Specialist salary in Altoona, PA
Public Relations Specialists in the Altoona, PA metro area earn a median of $54,860 a year ($26.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,850 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $57,460. There are 0.77 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $56,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Altoona, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,590 | $13.74 |
| 25th percentile | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Median | $54,860 | $26.37 |
| 75th percentile | $66,220 | $31.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,850 | $39.83 |
| Average (mean) | $56,720 | $27.27 |
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 | $4,571.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,285.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,110 |
| Weekly | $1,055 |
| Hourly | $26.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $70,510 | 920 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| State College, PA | $63,580 | 160 |
| Lebanon, PA | $62,720 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,910 | 1,970 |
| Williamsport, PA | $55,660 | 70 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $55,660 | 220 |
| Erie, PA | $53,060 | 180 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $52,500 | 600 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $51,730 | 290 |
| Lancaster, PA | $51,230 | 380 |
| Reading, PA | $51,180 | 240 |
| Johnstown, PA | $49,350 | 70 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $49,240 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $49,020 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Altoona, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,730 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Producers and Directors | $71,940 | $34.59 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Altoona, PA
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 Altoona, PA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Altoona, PA metro area is $54,860 a year, or $26.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Altoona, PA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Altoona, PA metro area earn at least $82,850 a year. The top 25% earn $66,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Altoona, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,590 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $39,420 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Altoona, PA?
About 50 public relations specialists are employed in the Altoona, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.