Public Relations Specialists Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $52,790 -24.3% vs national
Median hourly $25.38
10th percentile $31,580
90th percentile $93,820
Employed locally 390
National median $69,780

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Public Relations Specialists
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,580
    25th
    $42,590
    50th (median)
    $52,790
    75th
    $70,350
    90th
    $93,820

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Relations Specialists salary vs area income 76% Median Public Relations Specialists salary is 24% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $63,020
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $60,000
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $55,270
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $54,920
    Jackson, TN $49,990
    Clarksville, TN-KY $49,710

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $36,360
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $34,790
    Writers and Authors $58,620
    Producers and Directors $58,770
    Audio and Video Technicians $39,160
    Floral Designers $32,870

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in Knoxville, TN is $25.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in Knoxville, TN is 24.3% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $31,580 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,590.