Public Relations Specialist salary in Columbia, MO
Public Relations Specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $47,700 a year ($22.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,230 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 22% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $61,130. There are 5.0 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| 25th percentile | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Median | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| 75th percentile | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Average (mean) | $55,040 | $26.46 |
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 | $3,975 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,987.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,834.62 |
| Weekly | $917.31 |
| Hourly | $22.93 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $68,050 | 1,950 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $59,570 | 250 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $56,480 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,990 | 290 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $52,090 | 90 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,300 | $19.37 |
| Editor | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $49,490 | $23.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Interior Designer | $67,780 | $32.59 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Floral Designer | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Art Director | $80,060 | $38.49 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $47,700 a year, or $22.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $79,230 a year. The top 25% earn $61,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,490 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $38,490 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Columbia, MO?
About 540 public relations specialists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.