Public Relations Specialist salary in Iowa City, IA
Public Relations Specialists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $64,170 a year ($30.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,340 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $62,970. There are 2.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Median | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| 75th percentile | $80,760 | $38.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,340 | $41.99 |
| Average (mean) | $65,210 | $31.35 |
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 | $5,347.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,673.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,468.08 |
| Weekly | $1,234.04 |
| Hourly | $30.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,170 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $70,660 | 1,050 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $64,620 | 220 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,180 | 100 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Writers and Authors | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Graphic Designer | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| Interior Designer | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,090 | $30.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $64,170 a year, or $30.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $87,340 a year. The top 25% earn $80,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,900 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $51,290 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 200 public relations specialists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.