Public Relations Manager salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Public Relations Managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $157,630 a year ($75.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $277,700 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $146,910. Pay here is 6% lower than the California statewide median of $167,980. There are 0.42 public relations managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $167,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations managers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| 25th percentile | $116,030 | $55.78 |
| Median | $157,630 | $75.78 |
| 75th percentile | $203,170 | $97.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $277,700 | $133.51 |
| Average (mean) | $167,580 | $80.57 |
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 | $13,135.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,567.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,062.69 |
| Weekly | $3,031.35 |
| Hourly | $75.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $157,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $213,510 | 980 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $192,720 | 1,880 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $163,830 | 3,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $161,320 | 460 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $153,010 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $141,230 | 300 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $140,290 | 80 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $138,900 | 30 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $138,900 | 70 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $137,200 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $130,440 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $128,280 | 40 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $126,360 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $125,230 | 110 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $119,750 | $57.57 |
| Marketing Manager | $174,840 | $84.06 |
| Fundraising Manager | $134,740 | $64.78 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $137,050 | $65.89 |
| General and Operations Managers | $119,600 | $57.50 |
| Managers, All Other | $169,240 | $81.36 |
| Financial Manager | $174,210 | $83.76 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $206,740 | $99.40 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $138,080 | $66.38 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $78,250 | $37.62 |
| Food Service Manager | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| Construction Manager | $133,210 | $64.04 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $202,810 | $97.51 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $79,770 | $38.35 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for public relations managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $157,630 a year, or $75.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $277,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations managers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of public relations managers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $277,700 a year. The top 25% earn $203,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations managers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,530 a year, and a quarter of public relations managers earn $116,030 or less.
How many public relations managers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 650 public relations managers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.