Public Relations Specialist salary in Madison, WI
Public Relations Specialists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $73,510 a year ($35.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,620 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 9% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $67,240. 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 $78,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 25th percentile | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Median | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| 75th percentile | $85,660 | $41.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,620 | $52.22 |
| Average (mean) | $78,520 | $37.75 |
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 | $6,125.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,062.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,827.31 |
| Weekly | $1,413.65 |
| Hourly | $35.34 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,780 | 6,170 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,090 | 160 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $67,550 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,520 | 1,330 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 60 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $64,130 | 100 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $63,650 | 70 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $63,360 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $62,790 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $62,510 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $62,110 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,500 | 100 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Photographer | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Art Director | $83,650 | $40.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Madison, WI metro area is $73,510 a year, or $35.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $108,620 a year. The top 25% earn $85,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,440 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $62,610 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Madison, WI?
About 1,410 public relations specialists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.