Public Relations Specialist salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Public Relations Specialists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $70,490 a year ($33.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,360 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 6% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $66,710. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| 25th percentile | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Median | $70,490 | $33.89 |
| 75th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,360 | $55.94 |
| Average (mean) | $79,660 | $38.30 |
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 | $5,874.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,937.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,711.15 |
| Weekly | $1,355.58 |
| Hourly | $33.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $71,060 | 50 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $67,470 | 100 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $63,130 | 120 |
| Yuma, AZ | $61,810 | 70 |
| Tucson, AZ | $61,630 | 800 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $52,530 | 70 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Editor | $64,970 | $31.23 |
| Technical Writer | $83,480 | $40.14 |
| Writers and Authors | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $58,560 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Interior Designer | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Photographer | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $72,740 | $34.97 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $50,070 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $70,490 a year, or $33.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $116,360 a year. The top 25% earn $89,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,430 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $55,560 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 3,860 public relations specialists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.