Public Relations Specialist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Public Relations Specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $96,000 a year ($46.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,220 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 10% higher than the Washington statewide median of $87,470. There are 1.9 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,330 | $29.96 |
| 25th percentile | $78,620 | $37.80 |
| Median | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| 75th percentile | $122,780 | $59.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,220 | $70.30 |
| Average (mean) | $100,940 | $48.53 |
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 | $8,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,000 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,692.31 |
| Weekly | $1,846.15 |
| Hourly | $46.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $103,030 | 200 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $84,470 | 630 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $83,390 | 130 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,380 | 3,050 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $78,110 | 50 |
| Bellingham, WA | $77,320 | 120 |
| Yakima, WA | $77,150 | 80 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $76,600 | 60 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $76,360 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,610 | 320 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $55,590 | 40 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Editor | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Technical Writer | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| Writers and Authors | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $113,200 | $54.42 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $96,000 a year, or $46.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $146,220 a year. The top 25% earn $122,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,330 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $78,620 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 3,980 public relations specialists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.