Public Relations Specialist salary in Pennsylvania
Public Relations Specialists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $57,460 a year ($27.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,330 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pennsylvania ranks 50th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,810 | $15.78 |
| 25th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Median | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| 75th percentile | $77,480 | $37.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,330 | $49.20 |
| Average (mean) | $65,660 | $31.57 |
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 | $4,788.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,394.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,210 |
| Weekly | $1,105 |
| Hourly | $27.62 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $70,510 | 920 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| State College, PA | $63,580 | 160 |
| Lebanon, PA | $62,720 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,910 | 1,970 |
| Williamsport, PA | $55,660 | 70 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $55,660 | 220 |
| Altoona, PA | $54,860 | 50 |
| Erie, PA | $53,060 | 180 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $52,500 | 600 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $51,730 | 290 |
| Lancaster, PA | $51,230 | 380 |
| Reading, PA | $51,180 | 240 |
| Johnstown, PA | $49,350 | 70 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $49,240 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $49,020 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,040 | $27.42 |
| Technical Writer | $87,620 | $42.12 |
| Writers and Authors | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,100 | $31.30 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,730 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Producers and Directors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Photographer | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Floral Designer | $35,920 | $17.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Pennsylvania is $57,460 a year, or $27.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Pennsylvania earn at least $102,330 a year. The top 25% earn $77,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,810 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $45,930 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Pennsylvania?
About 11,180 public relations specialists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.