Public Relations Specialist salary in Boulder, CO
Public Relations Specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $81,180 a year ($39.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,610 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 1% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $80,680. There are 3.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| 25th percentile | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Median | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| 75th percentile | $106,160 | $51.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,610 | $63.75 |
| Average (mean) | $91,420 | $43.95 |
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 | $6,765 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,382.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,122.31 |
| Weekly | $1,561.15 |
| Hourly | $39.03 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $82,930 | 4,560 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $77,010 | 330 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $75,550 | 750 |
| Greeley, CO | $70,230 | 170 |
| Pueblo, CO | $65,160 | 70 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $63,740 | 110 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Technical Writer | $105,840 | $50.89 |
| Writers and Authors | $83,540 | $40.16 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $75,060 | $36.09 |
| Graphic Designer | $67,680 | $32.54 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Interior Designer | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Art Director | $107,130 | $51.51 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,460 | — |
| Floral Designer | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $64.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $81,180 a year, or $39.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $132,610 a year. The top 25% earn $106,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,430 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $62,150 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Boulder, CO?
About 700 public relations specialists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.