Public Relations Specialist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Public Relations Specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $81,440 a year ($39.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,720 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $79,660. There are 2.0 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $93,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,800 | $25.87 |
| 25th percentile | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Median | $81,440 | $39.16 |
| 75th percentile | $111,860 | $53.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,720 | $70.06 |
| Average (mean) | $93,800 | $45.10 |
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 | $6,786.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,393.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,132.31 |
| Weekly | $1,566.15 |
| Hourly | $39.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $77,210 | 1,250 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $76,690 | 140 |
| Worcester, MA | $75,610 | 420 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $75,090 | 220 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $73,720 | 100 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $72,610 | 180 |
| Springfield, MA | $69,790 | 220 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $86,410 | $41.54 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Technical Writer | $111,750 | $53.72 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $56,220 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| Producers and Directors | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Art Director | $151,820 | $72.99 |
| Interior Designer | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $102,530 | $49.29 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $81,440 a year, or $39.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $145,720 a year. The top 25% earn $111,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,800 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $62,940 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 5,380 public relations specialists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.