Public Relations Specialist salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Public Relations Specialists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $77,570 a year ($37.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,870 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 3% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $79,560. There are 1.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $84,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Median | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| 75th percentile | $104,680 | $50.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,870 | $64.36 |
| Average (mean) | $84,900 | $40.82 |
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 | $6,464.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,232.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,983.46 |
| Weekly | $1,491.73 |
| Hourly | $37.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $99,960 | 60 |
| Salisbury, MD | $71,490 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $62,220 | 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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Editor | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $69,740 | $33.53 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,640 | $29.15 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $71,350 | $34.31 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,850 | $38.87 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $77,570 a year, or $37.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $133,870 a year. The top 25% earn $104,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,750 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $59,990 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 1,880 public relations specialists are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.