Public Relations Specialist salary in Charleston, WV
Public Relations Specialists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $54,790 a year ($26.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,190 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 3% lower than the West Virginia statewide median of $56,730. There are 0.84 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $58,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| 25th percentile | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Median | $54,790 | $26.34 |
| 75th percentile | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,190 | $40.96 |
| Average (mean) | $58,740 | $28.24 |
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 | $4,565.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,282.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,107.31 |
| Weekly | $1,053.65 |
| Hourly | $26.34 |
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 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $62,220 | 60 |
| Morgantown, WV | $54,710 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $45,140 | 40 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,000 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Floral Designer | $29,190 | $14.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Charleston, WV metro area is $54,790 a year, or $26.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $85,190 a year. The top 25% earn $68,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,720 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $46,950 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Charleston, WV?
About 90 public relations specialists are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.