Public Relations Specialist salary in Roanoke, VA
Public Relations Specialists in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $62,130 a year ($29.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,810 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 23% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $80,380. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 25th percentile | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Median | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| 75th percentile | $82,790 | $39.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,810 | $56.16 |
| Average (mean) | $72,080 | $34.65 |
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 | $5,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,588.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,389.62 |
| Weekly | $1,194.81 |
| Hourly | $29.87 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $75,730 | 1,760 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $65,170 | 190 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $54,630 | $26.26 |
| Editor | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,340 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Producers and Directors | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Interior Designer | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Photographer | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Floral Designer | $33,110 | $15.92 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $62,130 a year, or $29.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $116,810 a year. The top 25% earn $82,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,600 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $48,480 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Roanoke, VA?
About 250 public relations specialists are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.