Public Relations Specialist salary in Rochester, NY
Public Relations Specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $71,740 a year ($34.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,280 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 12% lower than the New York statewide median of $81,250. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| 25th percentile | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Median | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| 75th percentile | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,280 | $55.43 |
| Average (mean) | $79,500 | $38.22 |
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 | $5,978.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,989.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,759.23 |
| Weekly | $1,379.62 |
| Hourly | $34.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,130 | 24,820 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $74,390 | 40 |
| Elmira, NY | $72,630 | 40 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,390 | 480 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $69,380 | 820 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $68,240 | 1,580 |
| Ithaca, NY | $67,260 | 170 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $67,230 | 70 |
| Kingston, NY | $67,230 | 100 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $64,330 | 160 |
| Syracuse, NY | $64,110 | 600 |
| Binghamton, NY | $63,930 | 140 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Editor | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| Technical Writer | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,850 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $63,530 | $30.54 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $46.86 |
| Art Director | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $84,130 | $40.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $71,740 a year, or $34.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $115,280 a year. The top 25% earn $87,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,640 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $59,140 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Rochester, NY?
About 880 public relations specialists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.