Public Relations Specialist salary in Massachusetts
Public Relations Specialists in Massachusetts earn a median of $79,660 a year ($38.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,240 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $74,750. Massachusetts ranks 9th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.9 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| 25th percentile | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Median | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| 75th percentile | $107,220 | $51.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,240 | $66.94 |
| Average (mean) | $90,400 | $43.46 |
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 | $6,638.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,319.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,063.85 |
| Weekly | $1,531.92 |
| Hourly | $38.30 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $81,440 | 5,380 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,210 | 1,250 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $76,690 | 140 |
| Worcester, MA | $75,610 | 420 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $73,720 | 100 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $72,610 | 180 |
| Springfield, MA | $69,790 | 220 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Technical Writer | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $79,940 | $38.44 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,130 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Producers and Directors | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Art Director | $149,320 | $71.79 |
| Interior Designer | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $101,720 | $48.90 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Massachusetts is $79,660 a year, or $38.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Massachusetts earn at least $139,240 a year. The top 25% earn $107,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,710 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $61,410 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Massachusetts?
About 6,760 public relations specialists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.