Public Relations Specialist salary in South Carolina
Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina earn a median of $62,730 a year ($30.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,940 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,750. South Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.3 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $80,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| 25th percentile | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Median | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| 75th percentile | $92,560 | $44.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,940 | $69.20 |
| Average (mean) | $80,010 | $38.47 |
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 | $5,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,613.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,412.69 |
| Weekly | $1,206.35 |
| Hourly | $30.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $74,660 | 230 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $65,870 | 120 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,780 | 570 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,310 | 470 |
| Columbia, SC | $61,610 | 810 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $61,020 | 120 |
| Florence, SC | $49,820 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writer | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Writers and Authors | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| Editor | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $30,960 | $14.88 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| Interior Designer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Photographer | $37,890 | $18.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for public relations specialists in South Carolina is $62,730 a year, or $30.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in South Carolina earn at least $143,940 a year. The top 25% earn $92,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,920 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,150 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in South Carolina?
About 2,950 public relations specialists are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.