Public Relations Specialist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $58,270 a year ($28.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,710 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 13% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $67,230. There are 1.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $63,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| 25th percentile | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Median | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| 75th percentile | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,710 | $43.61 |
| Average (mean) | $63,970 | $30.76 |
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 | $4,855.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,427.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,241.15 |
| Weekly | $1,120.58 |
| Hourly | $28.01 |
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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $76,970 | 1,090 |
| 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 |
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Writers and Authors | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $32,510 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Interior Designer | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Photographer | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,890 | $26.39 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $58,270 a year, or $28.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $90,710 a year. The top 25% earn $76,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,190 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $44,450 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 180 public relations specialists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.