Public Relations Specialists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $101,200 +45% vs national
Median hourly $48.66
10th percentile $40,450
90th percentile $206,990
Employed locally 2,400
National median $69,780

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Public Relations Specialists
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,450
    25th
    $66,850
    50th (median)
    $101,200
    75th
    $159,650
    90th
    $206,990

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Relations Specialists salary vs area income 64% Median Public Relations Specialists salary is 36% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Public Relations Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Lexington Park, MD $102,500
    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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $92,060

    Nearby metros — Public Relations Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $78,940

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $54,520
    Graphic Designers $98,530
    Technical Writers $135,880
    Art Directors $170,760
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $45,110
    Editors $96,270

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in San Jose, CA is $48.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $102.38 or more per hour.

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

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in San Jose, CA is 45% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $40,450 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,850.