Public Relations Specialist salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Public Relations Specialists in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn a median of $64,130 a year ($30.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,910 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $67,240. There are 1.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $69,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 25th percentile | $51,810 | $24.91 |
| Median | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| 75th percentile | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Average (mean) | $69,730 | $33.53 |
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 | $5,344.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,672.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,466.54 |
| Weekly | $1,233.27 |
| Hourly | $30.83 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $74,830 | 240 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,780 | 6,170 |
| Madison, WI | $73,510 | 1,410 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,090 | 160 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $68,950 | 240 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $67,550 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,520 | 1,330 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 60 |
| Mankato, MN | $63,740 | 100 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $63,650 | 70 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $63,360 | 30 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $63,040 | 110 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $62,790 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $62,510 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $62,110 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,500 | 100 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $61,050 | 60 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $59,750 | 170 |
| Appleton, WI | $56,480 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $56,110 | 270 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,340 | $30.45 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $41,370 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Interior Designer | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Photographer | $47,300 | $22.74 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
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 La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area is $64,130 a year, or $30.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area earn at least $99,910 a year. The top 25% earn $79,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,720 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $51,810 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
About 100 public relations specialists are employed in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.