Public Relations Specialist salary in Iowa
Public Relations Specialists in Iowa earn a median of $62,970 a year ($30.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,700 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,750. Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.9 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Median | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| 75th percentile | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,700 | $50.34 |
| Average (mean) | $68,340 | $32.86 |
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 | $5,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,623.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,421.92 |
| Weekly | $1,210.96 |
| Hourly | $30.27 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $70,660 | 1,050 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $64,620 | 220 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,180 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $64,170 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,700 | 780 |
| Ames, IA | $62,970 | 250 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,810 | 130 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Writers and Authors | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $93,810 | $45.10 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Iowa is $62,970 a year, or $30.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Iowa earn at least $104,700 a year. The top 25% earn $81,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,890 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,040 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Iowa?
About 2,890 public relations specialists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.