Public Relations Specialist salary in Kentucky
Public Relations Specialists in Kentucky earn a median of $60,150 a year ($28.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,530 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,750. Kentucky ranks 48th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.3 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $67,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| 25th percentile | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Median | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 75th percentile | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| Average (mean) | $67,550 | $32.48 |
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 | $5,012.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,506.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,313.46 |
| Weekly | $1,156.73 |
| Hourly | $28.92 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY | $69,350 | 40 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $67,200 | 90 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $62,380 | 520 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,640 | 820 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $52,580 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Writers and Authors | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Technical Writer | $81,070 | $38.97 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $35,570 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | $28.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Kentucky is $60,150 a year, or $28.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Kentucky earn at least $103,530 a year. The top 25% earn $77,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,190 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,920 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Kentucky?
About 2,580 public relations specialists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.