Public Relations Specialist salary in Traverse City, MI
Public Relations Specialists in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $61,760 a year ($29.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,150 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $65,300. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| 25th percentile | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Median | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| 75th percentile | $78,990 | $37.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| Average (mean) | $65,830 | $31.65 |
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 | $5,146.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,573.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,375.38 |
| Weekly | $1,187.69 |
| Hourly | $29.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MI | $77,860 | 70 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $71,550 | 820 |
| Midland, MI | $70,440 | 80 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $68,890 | 490 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $66,100 | 2,930 |
| Saginaw, MI | $63,940 | 110 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $63,590 | 70 |
| Niles, MI | $62,630 | 100 |
| Bay City, MI | $62,610 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,830 | 140 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $61,660 | 220 |
| Flint, MI | $61,610 | 180 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $59,770 | 1,060 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $58,460 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $56,030 | 30 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Graphic Designer | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,800 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $43.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $61,760 a year, or $29.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $97,150 a year. The top 25% earn $78,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,930 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $50,380 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Traverse City, MI?
About 110 public relations specialists are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.