Public Relations Specialist salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Public Relations Specialists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $59,960 a year ($28.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,320 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $60,900. There are 0.75 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $64,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,570 | $15.18 |
| 25th percentile | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Median | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| 75th percentile | $79,020 | $37.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,320 | $46.79 |
| Average (mean) | $64,190 | $30.86 |
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 | $4,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,498.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.15 |
| Weekly | $1,153.08 |
| Hourly | $28.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $76,580 | 380 |
| Richmond, VA | $75,730 | 1,760 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,370 | 330 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $65,170 | 190 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,870 | 1,350 |
| Roanoke, VA | $62,130 | 250 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,000 | 670 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,990 | 170 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $59,900 | 60 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $59,580 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,360 | 420 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Jackson, TN | $52,580 | 40 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,890 | 50 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $39,470 | $18.97 |
| Writers and Authors | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Editor | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,290 | $16.96 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,960 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Producers and Directors | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Floral Designer | $30,260 | $14.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $59,960 a year, or $28.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $97,320 a year. The top 25% earn $79,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,570 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $44,280 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 90 public relations specialists are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.