Public Relations Specialist salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Public Relations Specialists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $68,890 a year ($33.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,440 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $65,300. There are 2.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| 25th percentile | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Median | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| 75th percentile | $87,640 | $42.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,440 | $53.09 |
| Average (mean) | $75,800 | $36.44 |
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 | $5,740.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,870.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,649.62 |
| Weekly | $1,324.81 |
| Hourly | $33.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MI | $77,860 | 70 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $71,550 | 820 |
| Midland, MI | $70,440 | 80 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $66,100 | 2,930 |
| Saginaw, MI | $63,940 | 110 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $63,590 | 70 |
| Niles, MI | $62,630 | 100 |
| Bay City, MI | $62,610 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,830 | 140 |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,760 | 110 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $61,660 | 220 |
| Flint, MI | $61,610 | 180 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $59,770 | 1,060 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $58,460 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $56,030 | 30 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Writers and Authors | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $67,850 | $32.62 |
| Technical Writer | $89,840 | $43.19 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,890 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,020 | $26.45 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $45.21 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Interior Designer | $58,600 | $28.18 |
| Photographer | $37,510 | $18.04 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $83,530 | $40.16 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $68,890 a year, or $33.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $110,440 a year. The top 25% earn $87,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,000 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $58,100 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 490 public relations specialists are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.