Public Relations Specialists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $77,290 +10.8% vs national
Median hourly $37.16
10th percentile $47,720
90th percentile $129,060
Employed locally 2,360
National median $69,780

Compare Public Relations Specialists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Public Relations Specialists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,720
    25th
    $60,310
    50th (median)
    $77,290
    75th
    $101,920
    90th
    $129,060

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $101,200
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $98,460
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $85,360
    California $81,490
    Vallejo, CA $80,660
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $79,110

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts$45,490
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$40,290
    Producers and Directors$88,090
    Art Directors$112,400
    Editors$76,160
    Writers and Authors$71,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Public Relations Specialists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in San Diego, CA is $37.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.94 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Public Relations Specialists salaries?

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in San Diego, CA is 10.8% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $47,720 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,310.