Public Relations Specialist salary in Knoxville, TN
Public Relations Specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $57,360 a year ($27.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,110 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $60,900. There are 1.0 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $64,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Median | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| 75th percentile | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,110 | $49.57 |
| Average (mean) | $64,900 | $31.20 |
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 | $4,780 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,390 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,206.15 |
| Weekly | $1,103.08 |
| Hourly | $27.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,360 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,370 | 330 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,870 | 1,350 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,000 | 670 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,770 | $31.14 |
| Editor | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Technical Writer | $101,430 | $48.77 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,670 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| Interior Designer | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Floral Designer | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,200 | $33.75 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $57,360 a year, or $27.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $103,110 a year. The top 25% earn $76,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,900 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $48,630 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 420 public relations specialists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.