Public Relations Manager salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Public Relations Managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $126,520 a year ($60.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,420 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $146,910. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $120,730. There are 0.67 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| 25th percentile | $103,010 | $49.53 |
| Median | $126,520 | $60.83 |
| 75th percentile | $171,710 | $82.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,420 | $93.95 |
| Average (mean) | $136,690 | $65.72 |
Half of public relations managers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,543.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,271.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,866.15 |
| Weekly | $2,433.08 |
| Hourly | $60.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $126,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $132,600 | 70 |
| Iowa City, IA | $127,760 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $121,320 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $113,110 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for public relations managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $197,600 |
| New York | $180,880 |
| Virginia | $176,340 |
| New Jersey | $174,980 |
| Massachusetts | $171,740 |
| California | $167,980 |
| Maine | $166,940 |
| Colorado | $162,870 |
| Washington | $159,440 |
| Rhode Island | $156,080 |
See Public Relations Manager pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| Marketing Manager | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Fundraising Manager | $100,850 | $48.48 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $115,900 | $55.72 |
| General and Operations Managers | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Financial Manager | $154,140 | $74.11 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,840 | $79.25 |
| Managers, All Other | $139,110 | $66.88 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Chief Executive | $290,870 | $139.84 |
| Construction Manager | $103,920 | $49.96 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $117,980 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $60,600 | $29.13 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $73,840 | $35.50 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations manager make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for public relations managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $126,520 a year, or $60.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of public relations managers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $195,420 a year. The top 25% earn $171,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,460 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $103,010 or less.
How many public relations managers work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 270 public relations managers are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.