Public Relations Specialist salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Public Relations Specialists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $68,600 a year ($32.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 13% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $60,470. There are 1.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $76,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| 25th percentile | $52,940 | $25.45 |
| Median | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| 75th percentile | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Average (mean) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
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 | $5,716.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,858.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,638.46 |
| Weekly | $1,319.23 |
| Hourly | $32.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $64,080 | 80 |
| Alexandria, LA | $63,280 | 50 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $61,220 | 130 |
| Hammond, LA | $60,930 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $59,990 | 450 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $58,150 | 60 |
| Lafayette, LA | $57,060 | 170 |
| Monroe, LA | $55,750 | 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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Writers and Authors | $79,020 | $37.99 |
| Technical Writer | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,980 | $36.53 |
| Editor | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,030 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $37.26 |
| Graphic Designer | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Floral Designer | $34,110 | $16.40 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $68,600 a year, or $32.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $115,920 a year. The top 25% earn $82,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,390 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $52,940 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 490 public relations specialists are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.