Public Relations Specialist salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Public Relations Specialists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $61,380 a year ($29.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,630 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 16% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $73,200. There are 1.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $68,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| 25th percentile | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Median | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| 75th percentile | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,630 | $48.86 |
| Average (mean) | $68,440 | $32.91 |
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 | $5,115 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,557.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,360.77 |
| Weekly | $1,180.38 |
| Hourly | $29.51 |
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 |
| Huntsville, AL | $73,810 | 260 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $68,260 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,370 | 330 |
| Birmingham, AL | $64,880 | 710 |
| Savannah, GA | $64,520 | 190 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $63,920 | 90 |
| Decatur, AL | $63,780 | 40 |
| Albany, GA | $63,560 | 40 |
| Montgomery, AL | $62,360 | 370 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $61,560 | 100 |
| Gainesville, GA | $59,990 | 70 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $59,700 | 90 |
| Dothan, AL | $59,290 | 30 |
| Rome, GA | $57,980 | 30 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $57,600 | 120 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $56,320 | 40 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $48,520 | 60 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $48,500 | 40 |
| Mobile, AL | $42,770 | 240 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Graphic Designer | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,110 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Interior Designer | $47,780 | $22.97 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $61,380 a year, or $29.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $101,630 a year. The top 25% earn $84,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,620 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,510 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 120 public relations specialists are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.