Public Relations Specialist salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Public Relations Specialists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $61,640 a year ($29.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,870 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $60,150. There are 1.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $72,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $52,180 | $25.09 |
| Median | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| 75th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,870 | $52.34 |
| Average (mean) | $72,860 | $35.03 |
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 | $5,136.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,568.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,370.77 |
| Weekly | $1,185.38 |
| Hourly | $29.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $70,410 | 310 |
| Owensboro, KY | $69,350 | 40 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $67,380 | 250 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $67,200 | 90 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $66,450 | 1,740 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $65,580 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $63,320 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,170 | 120 |
| Columbus, IN | $62,770 | 30 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $62,380 | 520 |
| Bloomington, IN | $61,870 | 90 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,830 | 140 |
| Muncie, IN | $57,340 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $54,450 | 30 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $52,580 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $50,500 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Writers and Authors | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $49,370 | $23.74 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| Technical Writer | $89,260 | $42.91 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $34,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Floral Designer | $35,700 | $17.16 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $61,640 a year, or $29.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $108,870 a year. The top 25% earn $81,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,280 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $52,180 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 820 public relations specialists are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.