Public Relations Specialist salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Public Relations Specialists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $57,600 a year ($27.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,510 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 21% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $73,200. There are 1.3 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $63,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| 25th percentile | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Median | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| 75th percentile | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,510 | $43.03 |
| Average (mean) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
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 | $4,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,400 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,215.38 |
| Weekly | $1,107.69 |
| Hourly | $27.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $78,920 | 4,750 |
| Dalton, GA | $75,500 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $74,660 | 230 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $73,920 | 70 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,370 | 330 |
| Savannah, GA | $64,520 | 190 |
| Albany, GA | $63,560 | 40 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $61,560 | 100 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $61,380 | 120 |
| Gainesville, GA | $59,990 | 70 |
| Rome, GA | $57,980 | 30 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $48,520 | 60 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,610 | $19.52 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $51,600 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Interior Designer | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Floral Designer | $36,080 | $17.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $57,600 a year, or $27.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $89,510 a year. The top 25% earn $75,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,270 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $46,540 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 120 public relations specialists are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.