Public Relations Specialist salary in Lawrence, KS
Public Relations Specialists in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $58,040 a year ($27.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,330 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 11% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $64,860. There are 3.3 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| 25th percentile | $52,820 | $25.40 |
| Median | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| 75th percentile | $80,140 | $38.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,330 | $46.31 |
| Average (mean) | $66,120 | $31.79 |
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 | $4,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,418.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,232.31 |
| Weekly | $1,116.15 |
| Hourly | $27.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $68,050 | 1,950 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,430 | 370 |
| Topeka, KS | $62,410 | 320 |
| Manhattan, KS | $59,170 | 150 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $56,480 | 40 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $52,090 | 90 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,460 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $54,290 | $26.10 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $44,930 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $58,040 a year, or $27.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $96,330 a year. The top 25% earn $80,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,190 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $52,820 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Lawrence, KS?
About 170 public relations specialists are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.