Public Relations Specialist salary in Ohio
Public Relations Specialists in Ohio earn a median of $64,840 a year ($31.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,460 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $74,750. Ohio ranks 33rd 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 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $74,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,540 | $19.97 |
| 25th percentile | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Median | $64,840 | $31.18 |
| 75th percentile | $85,890 | $41.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,460 | $58.40 |
| Average (mean) | $74,520 | $35.83 |
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 | $5,403.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,701.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,493.85 |
| Weekly | $1,246.92 |
| Hourly | $31.18 |
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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $73,280 | 1,840 |
| Cleveland, OH | $66,610 | 1,180 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $63,900 | 460 |
| Akron, OH | $61,830 | 370 |
| Toledo, OH | $60,220 | 290 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $59,500 | 130 |
| Lima, OH | $57,970 | 40 |
| Sandusky, OH | $56,030 | 40 |
| Springfield, OH | $54,930 | 30 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $54,300 | 160 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $45,140 | 40 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Editor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Technical Writer | $76,480 | $36.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $42,440 | $20.41 |
| Writers and Authors | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,530 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Interior Designer | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $33.36 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,350 | $33.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Ohio is $64,840 a year, or $31.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Ohio?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Ohio earn at least $121,460 a year. The top 25% earn $85,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,540 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $50,040 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Ohio?
About 6,670 public relations specialists are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.