Public Relations Specialist salary in Birmingham, AL
Public Relations Specialists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $64,880 a year ($31.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,000 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $61,710. There are 1.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $76,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| 25th percentile | $50,420 | $24.24 |
| Median | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| 75th percentile | $97,070 | $46.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,000 | $60.10 |
| Average (mean) | $76,090 | $36.58 |
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 | $5,406.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,703.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,495.38 |
| Weekly | $1,247.69 |
| Hourly | $31.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $73,810 | 260 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $68,260 | 120 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $63,920 | 90 |
| Decatur, AL | $63,780 | 40 |
| Montgomery, AL | $62,360 | 370 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $61,380 | 120 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $59,700 | 90 |
| Dothan, AL | $59,290 | 30 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $56,320 | 40 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $48,500 | 40 |
| Mobile, AL | $42,770 | 240 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Technical Writer | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Photographer | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $64,880 a year, or $31.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $125,000 a year. The top 25% earn $97,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,420 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $50,420 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Birmingham, AL?
About 710 public relations specialists are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.