Public Relations Specialist salary in Rapid City, SD
Public Relations Specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $81,330 a year ($39.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,740 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 26% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $64,520. 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 $81,210, close to the median.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| 25th percentile | $55,510 | $26.69 |
| Median | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 75th percentile | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,740 | $57.57 |
| Average (mean) | $81,210 | $39.04 |
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 | $6,777.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,388.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,128.08 |
| Weekly | $1,564.04 |
| Hourly | $39.10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $61,050 | 60 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $31,670 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Choreographer | $41,080 | $19.75 |
| Floral Designer | $33,490 | $16.10 |
| Photographer | $39,780 | $19.13 |
| Producers and Directors | $52,680 | $25.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $81,330 a year, or $39.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $119,740 a year. The top 25% earn $97,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,180 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $55,510 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 public relations specialists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.