Public Relations Specialists Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $49,580 -28.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.84
10th percentile $31,550
90th percentile $93,550
Employed locally 180
National median $69,780

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Public Relations Specialists
in
Hickory, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,550
    25th
    $40,900
    50th (median)
    $49,580
    75th
    $72,920
    90th
    $93,550

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Relations Specialists salary vs area income 82% Median Public Relations Specialists salary is 18% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,460
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $78,420
    Winchester, VA-WV $76,460
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $75,840
    Anchorage, AK $72,240
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $71,840

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Graphic Designers $50,200
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $32,670
    Coaches and Scouts $44,260
    Commercial and Industrial Designers $70,700
    Writers and Authors $33,110
    Interior Designers $57,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in Hickory, NC is $23.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in Hickory, NC is 28.9% below 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $31,550 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,900.