Public Relations Specialist salary in Wilmington, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $63,620 a year ($30.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,500 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 5% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $67,230. There are 1.8 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $52,060 | $25.03 |
| Median | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| 75th percentile | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,500 | $54.57 |
| Average (mean) | $72,290 | $34.76 |
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 | $5,301.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,650.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,446.92 |
| Weekly | $1,223.46 |
| Hourly | $30.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | $77,500 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $76,970 | 1,090 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Greenville, NC | $68,960 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,790 | 2,330 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $64,090 | 60 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $62,580 | 490 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,580 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,050 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,030 | 50 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,270 | 40 |
| Burlington, NC | $59,150 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $58,970 | 400 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,270 | 180 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Technical Writer | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,960 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $54,720 | $26.31 |
| Interior Designer | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,120 | $29.39 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $43,880 | $21.09 |
| Photographer | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Floral Designer | $39,740 | $19.11 |
| Art Director | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| Broadcast Technician | $41,000 | $19.71 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $63,620 a year, or $30.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $113,500 a year. The top 25% earn $81,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,070 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $52,060 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Wilmington, NC?
About 340 public relations specialists are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.