Public Relations Specialist salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Public Relations Specialists in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $50,500 a year ($24.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,250 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 16% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $60,150. There are 1.1 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $53,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,840 | $14.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Median | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| 75th percentile | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,250 | $42.43 |
| Average (mean) | $53,700 | $25.82 |
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 | $4,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,104.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,942.31 |
| Weekly | $971.15 |
| Hourly | $24.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | $91,630 | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Peoria, IL | $76,150 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $71,110 | 110 |
| Owensboro, KY | $69,350 | 40 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $67,200 | 90 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,130 | 200 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $65,170 | 1,990 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,880 | 220 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,500 | 70 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $62,380 | 520 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,640 | 820 |
| Decatur, IL | $59,840 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $56,890 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $54,210 | 30 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $52,580 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 80 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,110 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $50,500 a year, or $24.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $88,250 a year. The top 25% earn $71,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,840 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $34,700 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 50 public relations specialists are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.