Public Relations Specialist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Public Relations Specialists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $63,780 a year ($30.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,760 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $62,730. There are 1.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $85,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,830 | $19.63 |
| 25th percentile | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Median | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| 75th percentile | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,760 | $72.00 |
| Average (mean) | $85,230 | $40.97 |
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 | $5,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,657.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,453.08 |
| Weekly | $1,226.54 |
| Hourly | $30.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in South 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $74,660 | 230 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $65,870 | 120 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,310 | 470 |
| Columbia, SC | $61,610 | 810 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $61,020 | 120 |
| Florence, SC | $49,820 | 100 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writer | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Writers and Authors | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Editor | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Interior Designer | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $13.11 |
| Art Director | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| Floral Designer | $37,900 | $18.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $63,780 a year, or $30.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $149,760 a year. The top 25% earn $94,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,830 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $50,200 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 570 public relations specialists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.