Public Relations Specialist salary in Peoria, IL
Public Relations Specialists in the Peoria, IL metro area earn a median of $76,150 a year ($36.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,060 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $76,380. There are 0.55 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $82,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Peoria, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| 25th percentile | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Median | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| 75th percentile | $102,260 | $49.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| Average (mean) | $82,560 | $39.69 |
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 | $6,345.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,172.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,928.85 |
| Weekly | $1,464.42 |
| Hourly | $36.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $91,630 | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Springfield, IL | $71,110 | 110 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,130 | 200 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,500 | 70 |
| Decatur, IL | $59,840 | 30 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $50,500 | 50 |
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 |
See Public Relations Specialist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Peoria, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Editor | $58,000 | $27.89 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Technical Writer | $87,090 | $41.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,480 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Floral Designer | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Producers and Directors | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $39.22 |
| Photographer | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Art Director | $87,790 | $42.21 |
| Broadcast Technician | $40,290 | $19.37 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Peoria, IL
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 Peoria, IL?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Peoria, IL metro area is $76,150 a year, or $36.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Peoria, IL?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Peoria, IL metro area earn at least $133,060 a year. The top 25% earn $102,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Peoria, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,500 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $56,680 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Peoria, IL?
About 90 public relations specialists are employed in the Peoria, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.