Public Relations Specialist salary in New Jersey
Public Relations Specialists in New Jersey earn a median of $80,130 a year ($38.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,190 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $74,750. New Jersey ranks 8th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $88,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| 25th percentile | $58,410 | $28.08 |
| Median | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| 75th percentile | $105,030 | $50.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,190 | $66.44 |
| Average (mean) | $88,460 | $42.53 |
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 | $6,677.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,338.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,081.92 |
| Weekly | $1,540.96 |
| Hourly | $38.52 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $84,990 | 610 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,130 | 24,820 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $62,200 | 140 |
| Vineland, NJ | $56,870 | 40 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $52,500 | 600 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Technical Writer | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Writers and Authors | $81,590 | $39.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,830 | $28.76 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $70,800 | $34.04 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for public relations specialists in New Jersey is $80,130 a year, or $38.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in New Jersey earn at least $138,190 a year. The top 25% earn $105,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,820 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $58,410 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in New Jersey?
About 4,980 public relations specialists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.