Public Relations Specialist salary in District of Columbia
Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia earn a median of $102,740 a year ($49.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 16,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,170 for the top 10%. That is 37% higher than the national median of $74,750. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for public relations specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 24 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 13.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,260 | $30.89 |
| 25th percentile | $78,200 | $37.59 |
| Median | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| 75th percentile | $149,120 | $71.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,170 | $97.20 |
| Average (mean) | $120,200 | $57.79 |
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 | $8,561.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,280.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,951.54 |
| Weekly | $1,975.77 |
| Hourly | $49.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $83,920 | $40.35 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $105,390 | $50.67 |
| Writers and Authors | $129,300 | $62.16 |
| Technical Writer | $117,810 | $56.64 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Producers and Directors | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Graphic Designer | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $65,360 | — |
| Interior Designer | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Film and Video Editors | $98,830 | $47.51 |
| Broadcast Technician | $108,270 | $52.05 |
| Photographer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for public relations specialists in District of Columbia is $102,740 a year, or $49.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in District of Columbia earn at least $202,170 a year. The top 25% earn $149,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,260 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $78,200 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in District of Columbia?
About 16,720 public relations specialists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.