Public Relations Specialist salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Public Relations Specialists in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $70,410 a year ($33.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,580 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 8% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $64,900. There are 1.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $72,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| 25th percentile | $52,990 | $25.48 |
| Median | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| 75th percentile | $83,480 | $40.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| Average (mean) | $72,860 | $35.03 |
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 | $5,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,933.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,708.08 |
| Weekly | $1,354.04 |
| Hourly | $33.85 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $67,380 | 250 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $66,450 | 1,740 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $65,580 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $63,320 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,170 | 120 |
| Columbus, IN | $62,770 | 30 |
| Bloomington, IN | $61,870 | 90 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,830 | 140 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,640 | 820 |
| Muncie, IN | $57,340 | 40 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $54,450 | 30 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $44,000 | $21.16 |
| Editor | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $66,160 | $31.81 |
| Technical Writer | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,840 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $52,280 | $25.14 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Photographer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Interior Designer | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Producers and Directors | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Broadcast Technician | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Floral Designer | $36,080 | $17.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
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 Wayne, IN?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $70,410 a year, or $33.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $105,580 a year. The top 25% earn $83,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,110 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $52,990 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 310 public relations specialists are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.