Public Relations Specialist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Public Relations Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $61,810 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,440 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $62,970. There are 1.5 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,630 | $20.50 |
| 25th percentile | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Median | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,440 | $55.50 |
| Average (mean) | $69,590 | $33.46 |
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 | $5,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.31 |
| Weekly | $1,188.65 |
| Hourly | $29.72 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $70,660 | 1,050 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $64,620 | 220 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,180 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $64,170 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,700 | 780 |
| Ames, IA | $62,970 | 250 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Editor | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $51,890 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Interior Designer | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Producers and Directors | $51,500 | $24.76 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $61,810 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $115,440 a year. The top 25% earn $77,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,630 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,670 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 130 public relations specialists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.