Public Relations Specialist salary in Topeka, KS
Public Relations Specialists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $62,410 a year ($30.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,370 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 4% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $64,860. There are 2.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| 25th percentile | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Median | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| 75th percentile | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,370 | $53.54 |
| Average (mean) | $69,560 | $33.44 |
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 | $5,200.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,600.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,400.38 |
| Weekly | $1,200.19 |
| Hourly | $30.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $68,050 | 1,950 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,430 | 370 |
| Manhattan, KS | $59,170 | 150 |
| Lawrence, KS | $58,040 | 170 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $56,480 | 40 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $52,090 | 90 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| Writers and Authors | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,960 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Graphic Designer | $55,630 | $26.75 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,720 | $25.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Topeka, KS metro area is $62,410 a year, or $30.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $111,370 a year. The top 25% earn $80,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,060 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,920 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Topeka, KS?
About 320 public relations specialists are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.