Public Relations Specialist salary in Virginia
Public Relations Specialists in Virginia earn a median of $80,380 a year ($38.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,050 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $74,750. Virginia ranks 7th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 2.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| 25th percentile | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Median | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| 75th percentile | $111,600 | $53.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,050 | $77.91 |
| Average (mean) | $92,860 | $44.64 |
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 | $6,698.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,349.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,091.54 |
| Weekly | $1,545.77 |
| Hourly | $38.65 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $76,580 | 380 |
| Richmond, VA | $75,730 | 1,760 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $65,170 | 190 |
| Roanoke, VA | $62,130 | 250 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,990 | 170 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $59,900 | 60 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $59,580 | 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,000 | $40.87 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,420 | $33.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Virginia is $80,380 a year, or $38.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Virginia earn at least $162,050 a year. The top 25% earn $111,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,840 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $60,610 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Virginia?
About 9,990 public relations specialists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.