Public Relations Specialist salary in Columbia, SC
Public Relations Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $61,610 a year ($29.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,910 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $62,730. There are 2.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| 25th percentile | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Median | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| 75th percentile | $88,870 | $42.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Average (mean) | $78,740 | $37.86 |
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 | $5,134.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,567.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,369.62 |
| Weekly | $1,184.81 |
| Hourly | $29.62 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $74,660 | 230 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $65,870 | 120 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,780 | 570 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,310 | 470 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $61,020 | 120 |
| Florence, SC | $49,820 | 100 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $61,610 a year, or $29.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $140,910 a year. The top 25% earn $88,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,760 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,340 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Columbia, SC?
About 810 public relations specialists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.