Public Relations Specialists Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $64,810 -7.1% vs national
Median hourly $31.16
10th percentile $38,160
90th percentile $118,860
Employed locally 1,970
National median $69,780

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Public Relations Specialists
in
Raleigh, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,160
    25th
    $48,760
    50th (median)
    $64,810
    75th
    $87,700
    90th
    $118,860

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Relations Specialists salary vs area income 67% Median Public Relations Specialists salary is 33% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $37,710
    Graphic Designers $59,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $34,750
    Producers and Directors $66,000
    Writers and Authors $74,820
    Technical Writers $102,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in Raleigh, NC is $31.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.70 or more per hour.

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

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in Raleigh, NC is 7.1% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $38,160 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,760.