Public Relations Specialist salary in Tucson, AZ
Public Relations Specialists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $61,630 a year ($29.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,360 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 8% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $66,710. There are 2.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| 25th percentile | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Median | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| 75th percentile | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,360 | $45.37 |
| Average (mean) | $66,360 | $31.90 |
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 | $5,135.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,567.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,370.38 |
| Weekly | $1,185.19 |
| Hourly | $29.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $71,060 | 50 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $70,490 | 3,860 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $67,470 | 100 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $63,130 | 120 |
| Yuma, AZ | $61,810 | 70 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $52,530 | 70 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,920 | $27.85 |
| Technical Writer | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Editor | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $79,640 | $38.29 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,080 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $64,530 | $31.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| Interior Designer | $58,110 | $27.94 |
| Broadcast Technician | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Actor | — | $18.12 |
| Floral Designer | $34,560 | $16.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $61,630 a year, or $29.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $94,360 a year. The top 25% earn $77,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,210 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,210 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Tucson, AZ?
About 800 public relations specialists are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.