Public Relations Specialist salary in State College, PA
Public Relations Specialists in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $63,580 a year ($30.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,440 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 11% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $57,460. There are 2.4 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 25th percentile | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Median | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| 75th percentile | $78,910 | $37.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| Average (mean) | $64,500 | $31.01 |
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 | $5,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,649.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,445.38 |
| Weekly | $1,222.69 |
| Hourly | $30.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $70,510 | 920 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $64,550 | 5,220 |
| Lebanon, PA | $62,720 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,910 | 1,970 |
| Williamsport, PA | $55,660 | 70 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $55,660 | 220 |
| Altoona, PA | $54,860 | 50 |
| Erie, PA | $53,060 | 180 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $52,500 | 600 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $51,730 | 290 |
| Lancaster, PA | $51,230 | 380 |
| Reading, PA | $51,180 | 240 |
| Johnstown, PA | $49,350 | 70 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $49,240 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $49,020 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,370 | $27.58 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the State College, PA metro area is $63,580 a year, or $30.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $82,440 a year. The top 25% earn $78,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,130 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,390 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in State College, PA?
About 160 public relations specialists are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.