Public Relations Specialist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $76,970 a year ($37.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,140 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 14% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $67,230. There are 3.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,040 | $23.09 |
| 25th percentile | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Median | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| 75th percentile | $98,720 | $47.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,140 | $64.49 |
| Average (mean) | $84,780 | $40.76 |
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 | $6,414.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,207.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,960.38 |
| Weekly | $1,480.19 |
| Hourly | $37.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | $77,500 | 170 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Greenville, NC | $68,960 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,790 | 2,330 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $64,090 | 60 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,620 | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $62,580 | 490 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,580 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,050 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,030 | 50 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,270 | 40 |
| Burlington, NC | $59,150 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $58,970 | 400 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,270 | 180 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $28.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $76,970 a year, or $37.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $134,140 a year. The top 25% earn $98,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,040 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $61,980 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 1,090 public relations specialists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.