Public Relations Specialist salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Public Relations Specialists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $67,130 a year ($32.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,330 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 12% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $76,380. There are 1.9 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,420 | $25.68 |
| 25th percentile | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Median | $67,130 | $32.27 |
| 75th percentile | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,330 | $44.87 |
| Average (mean) | $70,510 | $33.90 |
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 | $5,594.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,797.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,581.92 |
| Weekly | $1,290.96 |
| Hourly | $32.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $91,630 | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Peoria, IL | $76,150 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $71,110 | 110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,500 | 70 |
| Decatur, IL | $59,840 | 30 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $50,500 | 50 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $66,150 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Floral Designer | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,420 | $31.93 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $66,930 | $32.18 |
| Interior Designer | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,230 | $19.82 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $67,130 a year, or $32.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $93,330 a year. The top 25% earn $82,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,420 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $62,100 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 200 public relations specialists are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.