Public Relations Specialist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Public Relations Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $70,660 a year ($33.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,340 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 12% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $62,970. There are 2.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| 25th percentile | $54,730 | $26.31 |
| Median | $70,660 | $33.97 |
| 75th percentile | $89,970 | $43.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,340 | $56.90 |
| Average (mean) | $76,050 | $36.56 |
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 | $5,888.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,944.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,717.69 |
| Weekly | $1,358.85 |
| Hourly | $33.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $64,620 | 220 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,180 | 100 |
| Iowa City, IA | $64,170 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,700 | 780 |
| Ames, IA | $62,970 | 250 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,810 | 130 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $63,720 | $30.64 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $55,400 | $26.63 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $82,040 | $39.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Producers and Directors | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Photographer | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $70,660 a year, or $33.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $118,340 a year. The top 25% earn $89,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,850 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $54,730 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,050 public relations specialists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.