Public Relations Specialist salary in Illinois
Public Relations Specialists in Illinois earn a median of $76,380 a year ($36.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,570 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $74,750. Illinois ranks 12th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.0 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $86,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| 25th percentile | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Median | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| 75th percentile | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,570 | $67.10 |
| Average (mean) | $86,060 | $41.38 |
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 | $6,365 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,182.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,937.69 |
| Weekly | $1,468.85 |
| Hourly | $36.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in Illinois
| 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 |
| Decatur, IL | $59,840 | 30 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Technical Writer | $88,700 | $42.65 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Illinois is $76,380 a year, or $36.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Illinois earn at least $139,570 a year. The top 25% earn $102,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,690 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $59,400 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Illinois?
About 6,200 public relations specialists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.