Public Relations Specialist salary in Salem, OR
Public Relations Specialists in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $87,740 a year ($42.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,190 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 17% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $74,900. There are 2.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,760, close to the median.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| 25th percentile | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Median | $87,740 | $42.18 |
| 75th percentile | $108,970 | $52.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Average (mean) | $85,760 | $41.23 |
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 | $7,311.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,655.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,374.62 |
| Weekly | $1,687.31 |
| Hourly | $42.18 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,380 | 3,050 |
| Bend, OR | $72,000 | 220 |
| Albany, OR | $63,650 | 40 |
| Corvallis, OR | $61,590 | 90 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $61,100 | 300 |
| Medford, OR | $57,870 | 150 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $80,650 | $38.77 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Technical Writer | $84,000 | $40.38 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,400 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $65,720 | $31.59 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,750 | $21.04 |
| Floral Designer | $45,120 | $21.69 |
| Interior Designer | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| Producers and Directors | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $56,730 | $27.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Salem, OR metro area is $87,740 a year, or $42.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $124,190 a year. The top 25% earn $108,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,380 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $60,420 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Salem, OR?
About 450 public relations specialists are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.