Public Relations Specialist salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Public Relations Specialists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $52,500 a year ($25.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,700 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $57,460. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| 25th percentile | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Median | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| 75th percentile | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Average (mean) | $61,050 | $29.35 |
Half of public relations specialists 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 | $4,375 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,187.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,019.23 |
| Weekly | $1,009.62 |
| Hourly | $25.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $84,990 | 610 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,130 | 24,820 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $70,510 | 920 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| State College, PA | $63,580 | 160 |
| Lebanon, PA | $62,720 | 60 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $62,200 | 140 |
| Vineland, NJ | $56,870 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,910 | 1,970 |
| Williamsport, PA | $55,660 | 70 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $55,660 | 220 |
| Altoona, PA | $54,860 | 50 |
| Erie, PA | $53,060 | 180 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $51,730 | 290 |
| Lancaster, PA | $51,230 | 380 |
| Reading, PA | $51,180 | 240 |
| Johnstown, PA | $49,350 | 70 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $49,240 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $49,020 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for public relations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 |
| Washington | $87,470 |
| California | $85,030 |
| Connecticut | $84,990 |
| New York | $81,250 |
| Colorado | $80,680 |
| Virginia | $80,380 |
| New Jersey | $80,130 |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 |
| Maryland | $79,560 |
See Public Relations Specialist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Technical Writer | $90,230 | $43.38 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $64,230 | $30.88 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,460 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,030 | $18.77 |
| Photographer | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Producers and Directors | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| Floral Designer | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Broadcast Technician | $63,370 | $30.46 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $54,690 | $26.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3031. 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 specialist make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $52,500 a year, or $25.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $92,700 a year. The top 25% earn $68,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,240 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $46,410 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 600 public relations specialists are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.