Public Relations Specialist salary in Michigan
Public Relations Specialists in Michigan earn a median of $65,300 a year ($31.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,290 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $74,750. Michigan ranks 27th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.7 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 25th percentile | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| Median | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| 75th percentile | $86,770 | $41.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,290 | $56.39 |
| Average (mean) | $73,660 | $35.41 |
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 | $5,441.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,720.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,511.54 |
| Weekly | $1,255.77 |
| Hourly | $31.39 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MI | $77,860 | 70 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $71,550 | 820 |
| Midland, MI | $70,440 | 80 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $68,890 | 490 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $66,100 | 2,930 |
| Saginaw, MI | $63,940 | 110 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $63,590 | 70 |
| Niles, MI | $62,630 | 100 |
| Bay City, MI | $62,610 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,830 | 140 |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,760 | 110 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $61,660 | 220 |
| Flint, MI | $61,610 | 180 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $59,770 | 1,060 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $58,460 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $56,030 | 30 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Technical Writer | $85,270 | $40.99 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $61,600 | $29.62 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $58,720 | $28.23 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $57,350 | $27.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| Interior Designer | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,300 | $28.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Michigan is $65,300 a year, or $31.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Michigan earn at least $117,290 a year. The top 25% earn $86,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,560 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $50,160 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Michigan?
About 7,510 public relations specialists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.