Public Relations Specialist salary in Ames, IA
Public Relations Specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $62,970 a year ($30.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,670 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $62,970. There are 4.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,740 | $24.39 |
| 25th percentile | $50,740 | $24.39 |
| Median | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| 75th percentile | $83,570 | $40.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,670 | $49.36 |
| Average (mean) | $69,610 | $33.47 |
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 | $5,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,623.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,421.92 |
| Weekly | $1,210.96 |
| Hourly | $30.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $70,660 | 1,050 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $64,620 | 220 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,180 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $64,170 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,700 | 780 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,810 | 130 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,740 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,720 | $17.65 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Ames, IA metro area is $62,970 a year, or $30.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $102,670 a year. The top 25% earn $83,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,740 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $50,740 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Ames, IA?
About 250 public relations specialists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.