Public Relations Manager salary in District of Columbia
Public Relations Managers in District of Columbia earn a median of $197,600 a year ($95.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $117,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $346,130 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $146,910. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 48 states for public relations managers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 11 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 21.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $217,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $117,350 | $56.42 |
| 25th percentile | $142,020 | $68.28 |
| Median | $197,600 | $95.00 |
| 75th percentile | $296,830 | $142.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $346,130 | $166.41 |
| Average (mean) | $217,060 | $104.36 |
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 | $16,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,233.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,600 |
| Weekly | $3,800 |
| Hourly | $95.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $197,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Manager salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $195,190 | 9,470 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing Manager | $177,170 | $85.18 |
| Sales Manager | $141,800 | $68.18 |
| Fundraising Manager | $141,720 | $68.14 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $143,040 | $68.77 |
| General and Operations Managers | $168,000 | $80.77 |
| Managers, All Other | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Financial Manager | $188,880 | $90.81 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Human Resources Manager | $184,350 | $88.63 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $94,080 | $45.23 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $155,140 | $74.59 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $137,470 | — |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $107,390 | $51.63 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $156,730 | $75.35 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for public relations managers in District of Columbia is $197,600 a year, or $95.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $117,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $346,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of public relations managers in District of Columbia earn at least $346,130 a year. The top 25% earn $296,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $117,350 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $142,020 or less.
How many public relations managers work in District of Columbia?
About 7,410 public relations managers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.