Public Relations Specialist salary in Missouri
Public Relations Specialists in Missouri earn a median of $61,130 a year ($29.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,850 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,750. Missouri ranks 44th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| 25th percentile | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Median | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| 75th percentile | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,850 | $49.45 |
| Average (mean) | $67,840 | $32.61 |
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 | $5,094.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,547.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,351.15 |
| Weekly | $1,175.58 |
| Hourly | $29.39 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $68,050 | 1,950 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $59,570 | 250 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $56,480 | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,990 | 290 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $52,090 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $47,700 | 540 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $61,620 | $29.62 |
| Writers and Authors | $58,140 | $27.95 |
| Technical Writer | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,460 | $21.85 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $63,720 | $30.63 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,790 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $33,140 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Missouri is $61,130 a year, or $29.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Missouri earn at least $102,850 a year. The top 25% earn $78,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,490 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,700 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Missouri?
About 4,820 public relations specialists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.