Public Relations Specialist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Public Relations Specialists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $62,870 a year ($30.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,250 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $60,900. There are 1.2 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $67,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,200 | $19.33 |
| 25th percentile | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| Median | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| 75th percentile | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| Average (mean) | $67,880 | $32.64 |
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 | $5,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,619.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,418.08 |
| Weekly | $1,209.04 |
| Hourly | $30.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,870 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 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,000 | 670 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Technical Writer | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Interior Designer | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Art Director | $101,470 | $48.78 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $62,870 a year, or $30.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $99,250 a year. The top 25% earn $82,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,200 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,120 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 1,350 public relations specialists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.