Public Relations Specialist salary in South Dakota
Public Relations Specialists in South Dakota earn a median of $64,520 a year ($31.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,480 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $74,750. South Dakota ranks 34th of 51 states for public relations specialists pay. There are 0.45 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $71,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| 25th percentile | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| Median | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| 75th percentile | $83,480 | $40.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,480 | $49.27 |
| Average (mean) | $71,890 | $34.56 |
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 | $5,376.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,688.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,481.54 |
| Weekly | $1,240.77 |
| Hourly | $31.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Public Relations Specialist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $81,330 | 40 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $64,770 | 60 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $61,050 | 60 |
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 South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Editor | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Technical Writer | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Writers and Authors | $56,700 | $27.26 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,360 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Choreographer | $40,320 | $19.39 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Floral Designer | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Photographer | $45,330 | $21.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for public relations specialists in South Dakota is $64,520 a year, or $31.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in South Dakota earn at least $102,480 a year. The top 25% earn $83,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,460 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $55,990 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in South Dakota?
About 210 public relations specialists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.