Public Relations Specialist salary in Washington
Public Relations Specialists in Washington earn a median of $87,470 a year ($42.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,020 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $74,750. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for public relations specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| 25th percentile | $71,140 | $34.20 |
| Median | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| 75th percentile | $111,890 | $53.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,020 | $65.39 |
| Average (mean) | $95,030 | $45.69 |
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 | $7,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,644.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,364.23 |
| Weekly | $1,682.12 |
| Hourly | $42.05 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $103,030 | 200 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $96,000 | 3,980 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $84,470 | 630 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $83,390 | 130 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,380 | 3,050 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $78,110 | 50 |
| Bellingham, WA | $77,320 | 120 |
| Yakima, WA | $77,150 | 80 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $76,600 | 60 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $76,360 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,610 | 320 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $55,590 | 40 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Technical Writer | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,700 | $41.20 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Washington is $87,470 a year, or $42.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Washington?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Washington earn at least $136,020 a year. The top 25% earn $111,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,760 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $71,140 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Washington?
About 6,430 public relations specialists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.