Public Relations Specialist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Public Relations Specialists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $65,520 a year ($31.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,860 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 3% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $67,240. There are 1.6 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| 25th percentile | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| Median | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| 75th percentile | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,860 | $53.78 |
| Average (mean) | $74,630 | $35.88 |
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 | $5,460 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,730 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,520 |
| Weekly | $1,260 |
| Hourly | $31.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,780 | 6,170 |
| Madison, WI | $73,510 | 1,410 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,090 | 160 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $67,550 | 70 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $64,290 | 60 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $64,130 | 100 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $63,650 | 70 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $63,360 | 30 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $62,790 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $62,510 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $62,110 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $61,500 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $56,480 | 140 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $56,110 | 270 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Technical Writer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $65,520 a year, or $31.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $111,860 a year. The top 25% earn $85,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,160 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $57,500 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 1,330 public relations specialists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.