Public Relations Specialist salary in Colorado
Public Relations Specialists in Colorado earn a median of $80,680 a year ($38.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,040 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $74,750. Colorado ranks 6th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 2.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| 25th percentile | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Median | $80,680 | $38.79 |
| 75th percentile | $105,190 | $50.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,040 | $66.85 |
| Average (mean) | $95,790 | $46.05 |
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 | $6,723.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,361.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,103.08 |
| Weekly | $1,551.54 |
| Hourly | $38.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $82,930 | 4,560 |
| Boulder, CO | $81,180 | 700 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $77,870 | $37.44 |
| Technical Writer | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $71,790 | $34.51 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,770 | $29.21 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $50,660 | $24.35 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,330 | $31.89 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,110 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Interior Designer | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Producers and Directors | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Photographer | $47,070 | $22.63 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Colorado is $80,680 a year, or $38.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Colorado earn at least $139,040 a year. The top 25% earn $105,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,710 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $64,090 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Colorado?
About 7,410 public relations specialists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.