Public Relations Specialist salary in Indiana
Public Relations Specialists in Indiana earn a median of $64,900 a year ($31.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,580 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $74,750. Indiana ranks 31st of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. 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 $72,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 25th percentile | $51,700 | $24.86 |
| Median | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| 75th percentile | $83,480 | $40.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| Average (mean) | $72,510 | $34.86 |
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 | $5,408.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,704.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,496.15 |
| Weekly | $1,248.08 |
| Hourly | $31.20 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $70,410 | 310 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $54,740 | $26.32 |
| Editor | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Technical Writer | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $34,350 | $16.51 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,480 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,040 | $42.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Indiana is $64,900 a year, or $31.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Indiana 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 Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,060 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $51,700 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Indiana?
About 3,750 public relations specialists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.