Public Relations Specialist salary in Asheville, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $58,970 a year ($28.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,960 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 12% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $67,230. There are 2.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,950 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Median | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| 75th percentile | $79,400 | $38.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Average (mean) | $67,760 | $32.58 |
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 | $4,914.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,457.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,268.08 |
| Weekly | $1,134.04 |
| Hourly | $28.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | $77,500 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $76,970 | 1,090 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Greenville, NC | $68,960 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,790 | 2,330 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $64,090 | 60 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,620 | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $62,580 | 490 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,580 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,050 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,030 | 50 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,270 | 40 |
| Burlington, NC | $59,150 | 90 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,270 | 180 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Writers and Authors | $70,280 | $33.79 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| Technical Writer | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,890 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| Photographer | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Floral Designer | $40,760 | $19.60 |
| Art Director | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,070 | $38.97 |
| Broadcast Technician | $45,100 | $21.68 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
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 Asheville, NC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Asheville, NC metro area is $58,970 a year, or $28.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $104,960 a year. The top 25% earn $79,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,950 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $46,180 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Asheville, NC?
About 400 public relations specialists are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.