Public Relations Specialist salary in North Carolina
Public Relations Specialists in North Carolina earn a median of $67,230 a year ($32.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,450 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $74,750. North Carolina ranks 24th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 2.0 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| 25th percentile | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Median | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| 75th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,450 | $65.60 |
| Average (mean) | $78,940 | $37.95 |
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 | $5,602.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,801.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,585.77 |
| Weekly | $1,292.88 |
| Hourly | $32.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, NC | $77,500 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $76,970 | 1,090 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Greenville, NC | $68,960 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,790 | 2,330 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $64,090 | 60 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,620 | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $62,580 | 490 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,580 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,050 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,030 | 50 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,270 | 40 |
| Burlington, NC | $59,150 | 90 |
| Asheville, NC | $58,970 | 400 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,270 | 180 |
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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Editor | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,660 | $30.60 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $42,920 | $20.64 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for public relations specialists in North Carolina is $67,230 a year, or $32.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in North Carolina earn at least $136,450 a year. The top 25% earn $89,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,840 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $51,530 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in North Carolina?
About 9,910 public relations specialists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.