Public Relations Specialist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Public Relations Specialists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $54,880 a year ($26.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,510 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 16% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $65,000. There are 0.55 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $63,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 25th percentile | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| Median | $54,880 | $26.38 |
| 75th percentile | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,510 | $46.88 |
| Average (mean) | $63,200 | $30.39 |
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 | $4,573.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,286.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,110.77 |
| Weekly | $1,055.38 |
| Hourly | $26.38 |
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-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $85,650 | 370 |
| Lawton, OK | $73,920 | 40 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $66,410 | 920 |
| Tulsa, OK | $63,760 | 680 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $61,710 | 330 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,000 | 670 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $52,570 | 70 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $34,600 | $16.63 |
| Producers and Directors | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Graphic Designer | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,960 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $54,880 a year, or $26.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $97,510 a year. The top 25% earn $78,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,450 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $43,090 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 50 public relations specialists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.