Public Relations Specialist salary in Decatur, IL
Public Relations Specialists in the Decatur, IL metro area earn a median of $59,840 a year ($28.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,300 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 22% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $76,380. There are 0.67 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $67,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Decatur, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Median | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| 75th percentile | $76,950 | $36.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| Average (mean) | $67,330 | $32.37 |
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 | $4,986.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,493.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,301.54 |
| Weekly | $1,150.77 |
| Hourly | $28.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $91,630 | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Peoria, IL | $76,150 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $71,110 | 110 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,130 | 200 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,500 | 70 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $50,500 | 50 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,870 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $48,100 | $23.13 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Decatur, IL
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 Decatur, IL?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Decatur, IL metro area is $59,840 a year, or $28.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Decatur, IL?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Decatur, IL metro area earn at least $99,300 a year. The top 25% earn $76,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Decatur, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,460 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $46,640 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Decatur, IL?
About 30 public relations specialists are employed in the Decatur, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.