Public Relations Specialist salary in Rhode Island
Public Relations Specialists in Rhode Island earn a median of $77,540 a year ($37.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,360 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $74,750. Rhode Island ranks 11th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 2.3 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 25th percentile | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Median | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| 75th percentile | $102,280 | $49.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Average (mean) | $84,730 | $40.74 |
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 | $6,461.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,230.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,982.31 |
| Weekly | $1,491.15 |
| Hourly | $37.28 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,210 | 1,250 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $77,960 | $37.48 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| Technical Writer | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Writers and Authors | $70,190 | $33.75 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $92,250 | $44.35 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,630 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Producers and Directors | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Interior Designer | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Floral Designer | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Photographer | $37,300 | $17.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Rhode Island is $77,540 a year, or $37.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Rhode Island earn at least $129,360 a year. The top 25% earn $102,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,750 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $63,310 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Rhode Island?
About 1,140 public relations specialists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.