Public Relations Specialist salary in Arizona
Public Relations Specialists in Arizona earn a median of $66,710 a year ($32.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,220 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $74,750. Arizona ranks 25th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,080 | $21.68 |
| 25th percentile | $52,580 | $25.28 |
| Median | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| 75th percentile | $85,950 | $41.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,220 | $53.47 |
| Average (mean) | $76,700 | $36.88 |
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 | $5,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,779.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,565.77 |
| Weekly | $1,282.88 |
| Hourly | $32.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $71,060 | 50 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $70,490 | 3,860 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $67,470 | 100 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $63,130 | 120 |
| Yuma, AZ | $61,810 | 70 |
| Tucson, AZ | $61,630 | 800 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $52,530 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Editor | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Technical Writer | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Writers and Authors | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,130 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Interior Designer | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Photographer | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,140 | $22.67 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Arizona is $66,710 a year, or $32.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Arizona earn at least $111,220 a year. The top 25% earn $85,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,080 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $52,580 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Arizona?
About 5,350 public relations specialists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.