Public Relations Specialist salary in Ithaca, NY
Public Relations Specialists in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn a median of $67,260 a year ($32.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,700 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 17% lower than the New York statewide median of $81,250. There are 3.5 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Ithaca, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| 25th percentile | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Median | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| 75th percentile | $82,960 | $39.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,700 | $50.34 |
| Average (mean) | $75,020 | $36.07 |
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 | $5,605 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,802.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,586.92 |
| Weekly | $1,293.46 |
| Hourly | $32.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,130 | 24,820 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $74,390 | 40 |
| Elmira, NY | $72,630 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,390 | 480 |
| Rochester, NY | $71,740 | 880 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $69,380 | 820 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $68,240 | 1,580 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,230 | 70 |
| Kingston, NY | $67,230 | 100 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $64,330 | 160 |
| Syracuse, NY | $64,110 | 600 |
| Binghamton, NY | $63,930 | 140 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ithaca, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $51,140 | — |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,250 | $29.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Ithaca, NY
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 Ithaca, NY?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Ithaca, NY metro area is $67,260 a year, or $32.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Ithaca, NY?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn at least $104,700 a year. The top 25% earn $82,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Ithaca, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,170 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $61,470 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Ithaca, NY?
About 170 public relations specialists are employed in the Ithaca, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.