Public Relations Specialist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Public Relations Specialists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $66,370 a year ($31.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,260 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 9% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $60,900. There are 1.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $67,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| 25th percentile | $48,700 | $23.41 |
| Median | $66,370 | $31.91 |
| 75th percentile | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| Average (mean) | $67,060 | $32.24 |
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 | $5,530.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,765.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,552.69 |
| Weekly | $1,276.35 |
| Hourly | $31.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $78,920 | 4,750 |
| Dalton, GA | $75,500 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $74,660 | 230 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $73,920 | 70 |
| Savannah, GA | $64,520 | 190 |
| Albany, GA | $63,560 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,870 | 1,350 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $61,560 | 100 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $61,380 | 120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,000 | 670 |
| Gainesville, GA | $59,990 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| Rome, GA | $57,980 | 30 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $57,600 | 120 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,360 | 420 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Jackson, TN | $52,580 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,890 | 50 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $48,520 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Editor | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,720 | $17.17 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $40,830 | $19.63 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,490 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,250 | $26.56 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Interior Designer | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Floral Designer | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Photographer | $33,600 | $16.15 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $66,370 a year, or $31.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $99,260 a year. The top 25% earn $80,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,250 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $48,700 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 330 public relations specialists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.