Public Relations Specialist salary in Columbus, OH
Public Relations Specialists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $73,280 a year ($35.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,430 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 13% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $64,840. There are 1.7 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| 25th percentile | $55,360 | $26.62 |
| Median | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| 75th percentile | $96,170 | $46.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,430 | $59.82 |
| Average (mean) | $79,870 | $38.40 |
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 | $6,106.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,053.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,818.46 |
| Weekly | $1,409.23 |
| Hourly | $35.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $66,610 | 1,180 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,900 | 460 |
| Akron, OH | $61,830 | 370 |
| Toledo, OH | $60,220 | 290 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $59,500 | 130 |
| Lima, OH | $57,970 | 40 |
| Sandusky, OH | $56,030 | 40 |
| Springfield, OH | $54,930 | 30 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $54,300 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $45,140 | 40 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,380 | $26.62 |
| Editor | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Technical Writer | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,490 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Interior Designer | $62,180 | $29.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Floral Designer | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Photographer | $41,390 | $19.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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, OH?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Columbus, OH metro area is $73,280 a year, or $35.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $124,430 a year. The top 25% earn $96,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,190 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $55,360 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Columbus, OH?
About 1,840 public relations specialists are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.