Public Relations Specialist salary in Richmond, VA
Public Relations Specialists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $75,730 a year ($36.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,120 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 6% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $80,380. There are 2.7 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| 25th percentile | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| Median | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| 75th percentile | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,120 | $61.60 |
| Average (mean) | $82,880 | $39.85 |
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 | $6,310.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,155.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,912.69 |
| Weekly | $1,456.35 |
| Hourly | $36.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $76,580 | 380 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $65,170 | 190 |
| Roanoke, VA | $62,130 | 250 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,990 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $59,900 | 60 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $59,580 | 100 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Technical Writer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $78,030 | $37.52 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Floral Designer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $75,730 a year, or $36.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $128,120 a year. The top 25% earn $100,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,870 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $58,980 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Richmond, VA?
About 1,760 public relations specialists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.