Public Relations Specialist salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Public Relations Specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $78,450 a year ($37.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,760 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 8% lower than the California statewide median of $85,030. There are 1.3 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $85,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,370 | $22.77 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Median | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| 75th percentile | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,760 | $65.75 |
| Average (mean) | $85,950 | $41.32 |
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 | $6,537.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,268.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,017.31 |
| Weekly | $1,508.65 |
| Hourly | $37.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,620 | 2,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,520 | 6,290 |
| Napa, CA | $98,190 | 80 |
| El Centro, CA | $93,100 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $89,640 | 2,620 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $83,180 | 180 |
| Yuba City, CA | $81,650 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $81,240 | 2,730 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,700 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $80,610 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,860 | 11,910 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,590 | 130 |
| Salinas, CA | $78,960 | 190 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,710 | 210 |
| Merced, CA | $77,380 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $77,010 | 1,470 |
| Modesto, CA | $76,610 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $76,580 | 270 |
| Visalia, CA | $74,780 | 100 |
| Redding, CA | $73,920 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $73,890 | 120 |
| Fresno, CA | $72,870 | 490 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $71,190 | 160 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Technical Writer | $104,450 | $50.21 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Interior Designer | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Floral Designer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Photographer | $55,220 | $26.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $78,450 a year, or $37.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $136,760 a year. The top 25% earn $100,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,370 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $58,240 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 270 public relations specialists are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.