Public Relations Specialist salary in Tennessee
Public Relations Specialists in Tennessee earn a median of $60,900 a year ($29.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,370 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $74,750. Tennessee ranks 46th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.0 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $65,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Median | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| 75th percentile | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,370 | $47.29 |
| Average (mean) | $65,360 | $31.42 |
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 | $5,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,537.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,342.31 |
| Weekly | $1,171.15 |
| Hourly | $29.28 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,370 | 330 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,870 | 1,350 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,000 | 670 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,360 | 420 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Jackson, TN | $52,580 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,890 | 50 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Writers and Authors | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Technical Writer | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Art Director | $89,860 | $43.20 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Tennessee is $60,900 a year, or $29.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Tennessee earn at least $98,370 a year. The top 25% earn $79,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,450 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,320 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Tennessee?
About 3,380 public relations specialists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.