Public Relations Specialist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Public Relations Specialists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $68,050 a year ($32.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,810 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 11% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $61,130. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,750 | $21.04 |
| 25th percentile | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Median | $68,050 | $32.72 |
| 75th percentile | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,810 | $54.24 |
| Average (mean) | $74,490 | $35.81 |
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 | $5,670.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,835.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,617.31 |
| Weekly | $1,308.65 |
| Hourly | $32.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,430 | 370 |
| Topeka, KS | $62,410 | 320 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $59,570 | 250 |
| Manhattan, KS | $59,170 | 150 |
| Lawrence, KS | $58,040 | 170 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $56,480 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,990 | 290 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $52,090 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $47,700 | 540 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $65,180 | $31.34 |
| Technical Writer | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $60,850 | $29.25 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Writers and Authors | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $70,900 | $34.09 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,100 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Interior Designer | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $37,650 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $66,470 | $31.96 |
| Floral Designer | $35,950 | $17.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $68,050 a year, or $32.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $112,810 a year. The top 25% earn $87,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,750 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $54,050 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 1,950 public relations specialists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.