Public Relations Specialist salary in Maryland
Public Relations Specialists in Maryland earn a median of $79,560 a year ($38.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,220 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $74,750. Maryland ranks 10th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.5 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 25th percentile | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Median | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| 75th percentile | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,220 | $70.78 |
| Average (mean) | $88,560 | $42.58 |
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 | $6,630 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,315 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,060 |
| Weekly | $1,530 |
| Hourly | $38.25 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $99,960 | 60 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $77,570 | 1,880 |
| Salisbury, MD | $71,490 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $62,220 | 60 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $88,550 | $42.57 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $63,680 | $30.61 |
| Writers and Authors | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Maryland is $79,560 a year, or $38.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Maryland earn at least $147,220 a year. The top 25% earn $108,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,060 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $58,600 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Maryland?
About 4,190 public relations specialists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.