Public Relations Specialist salary in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
Public Relations Specialists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median of $77,210 a year ($37.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,630 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is about the same as the Rhode Island statewide median of $77,540. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| 25th percentile | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Median | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| 75th percentile | $99,330 | $47.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,630 | $61.84 |
| Average (mean) | $83,510 | $40.15 |
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 | $6,434.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,217.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,969.62 |
| Weekly | $1,484.81 |
| Hourly | $37.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $81,440 | 5,380 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $76,690 | 140 |
| Worcester, MA | $75,610 | 420 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $73,720 | 100 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $72,610 | 180 |
| Springfield, MA | $69,790 | 220 |
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 Rhode Island statewide figures.
Related jobs in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $76,180 | $36.63 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Technical Writer | $92,240 | $44.35 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $63,430 | $30.50 |
| Writers and Authors | $70,620 | $33.95 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $92,250 | $44.35 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,420 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Interior Designer | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Producers and Directors | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Floral Designer | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Photographer | $50,060 | $24.07 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA
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 Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $77,210 a year, or $37.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn at least $128,630 a year. The top 25% earn $99,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,200 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $62,020 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Providence-Warwick, RI-MA?
About 1,250 public relations specialists are employed in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.