Public Relations Specialist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Public Relations Specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $61,000 a year ($29.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,380 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $60,900. There are 1.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $67,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| 25th percentile | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Median | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 75th percentile | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Average (mean) | $67,740 | $32.57 |
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 | $5,083.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,541.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,346.15 |
| Weekly | $1,173.08 |
| Hourly | $29.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $85,650 | 370 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $66,370 | 330 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $65,170 | 130 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $65,120 | 100 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $62,870 | 1,350 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $61,710 | 330 |
| Jackson, MS | $60,310 | 360 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,360 | 420 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $54,880 | 50 |
| Jackson, TN | $52,580 | 40 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $52,570 | 70 |
| 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $58,480 | $28.12 |
| Editor | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Technical Writer | $90,710 | $43.61 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,720 | $32.08 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $31,160 | $14.98 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,440 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Producers and Directors | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Interior Designer | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Floral Designer | $37,580 | $18.07 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $61,000 a year, or $29.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $103,380 a year. The top 25% earn $82,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,980 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $48,140 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 670 public relations specialists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.