Public Relations Specialist salary in Wisconsin
Public Relations Specialists in Wisconsin earn a median of $67,240 a year ($32.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,970 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $74,750. Wisconsin ranks 23rd of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 1.5 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| 25th percentile | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| Median | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| 75th percentile | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,970 | $50.95 |
| Average (mean) | $73,830 | $35.49 |
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 | $5,603.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,801.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,586.15 |
| Weekly | $1,293.08 |
| Hourly | $32.33 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,780 | 6,170 |
| Madison, WI | $73,510 | 1,410 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,090 | 160 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $67,550 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,520 | 1,330 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 60 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $64,130 | 100 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $63,650 | 70 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $63,360 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $62,790 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $62,510 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $62,110 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,500 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $56,480 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $56,110 | 270 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| Technical Writer | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for public relations specialists in Wisconsin is $67,240 a year, or $32.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in Wisconsin earn at least $105,970 a year. The top 25% earn $83,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,790 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $56,830 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Wisconsin?
About 4,410 public relations specialists are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.