Public Relations Specialists Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $73,090 +4.7% vs national
Median hourly $35.14
10th percentile $42,580
90th percentile $131,030
Employed locally 1,930
National median $69,780

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Public Relations Specialists
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,580
    25th
    $50,030
    50th (median)
    $73,090
    75th
    $101,920
    90th
    $131,030

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Relations Specialists salary vs area income 92% Median Public Relations Specialists salary is 8% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Public Relations Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $102,500
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $101,200
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,460
    District of Columbia $97,800
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $95,370
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $93,220

    Nearby metros — Public Relations Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Akron, OH $66,780
    Cleveland, OH $64,010
    Ohio $62,560
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $62,100
    Toledo, OH $61,250
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $60,410

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $43,620
    Graphic Designers $61,410
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,280
    Interior Designers $61,370
    Interpreters and Translators $60,010
    Floral Designers $36,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Public Relations Specialists make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in Columbus, OH is $35.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.82 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Public Relations Specialists salaries?

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in Columbus, OH is 4.7% above the national median of $69,780. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Public Relations Specialists in Columbus?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $42,580 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,030.