Public Relations Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $73,830 +5.8% vs national
Median hourly $35.50
10th percentile $46,160
90th percentile $122,300
Employed locally 160
National median $69,780

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Public Relations Specialists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,160
    25th
    $58,350
    50th (median)
    $73,830
    75th
    $96,690
    90th
    $122,300

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Public Relations Specialists salary vs area income 68% Median Public Relations Specialists salary is 32% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $47,060
    Graphic Designers $64,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $39,600
    Producers and Directors $84,660
    Commercial and Industrial Designers $132,230
    Audio and Video Technicians $56,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Public Relations Specialists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Public Relations Specialists in Santa Cruz, CA is $35.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.88 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Public Relations Specialists salaries?

    The median Public Relations Specialists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 5.8% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Public Relations Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $46,160 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,350.