Public Relations Specialist salary in West Virginia
Public Relations Specialists in West Virginia earn a median of $56,730 a year ($27.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,380 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $74,750. West Virginia ranks 51st of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 0.50 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $64,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,720 | $19.09 |
| 25th percentile | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Median | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| 75th percentile | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Average (mean) | $64,450 | $30.99 |
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 | $4,727.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,363.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,181.92 |
| Weekly | $1,090.96 |
| Hourly | $27.27 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $62,220 | 60 |
| Charleston, WV | $54,790 | 90 |
| Morgantown, WV | $54,710 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $45,140 | 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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $56,790 | $27.30 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,050 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Graphic Designer | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| Floral Designer | $29,860 | $14.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Broadcast Technician | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $73,030 | $35.11 |
| Photographer | $36,110 | $17.36 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for public relations specialists in West Virginia is $56,730 a year, or $27.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in West Virginia earn at least $103,380 a year. The top 25% earn $72,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,720 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $47,740 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in West Virginia?
About 350 public relations specialists are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.