Public Relations Specialist salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $73,890 a year ($35.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,640 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 8% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $80,380. There are 1.5 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| 25th percentile | $53,530 | $25.74 |
| Median | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| 75th percentile | $96,420 | $46.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Average (mean) | $77,570 | $37.30 |
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 | $6,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,078.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,841.92 |
| Weekly | $1,420.96 |
| Hourly | $35.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,680 | 22,810 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $77,500 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $76,970 | 1,090 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $76,580 | 380 |
| Richmond, VA | $75,730 | 1,760 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,190 | 2,470 |
| Greenville, NC | $68,960 | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $68,790 | 2,330 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $67,300 | 80 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $65,170 | 190 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $64,090 | 60 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,620 | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $62,580 | 490 |
| Roanoke, VA | $62,130 | 250 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,580 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $61,050 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,030 | 50 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $60,990 | 170 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $60,270 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $59,960 | 90 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $59,900 | 60 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $59,580 | 100 |
| 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 |
See Public Relations Specialist pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Writer | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Editor | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Writers and Authors | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,810 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Interior Designer | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Photographer | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| Broadcast Technician | $50,720 | $24.39 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $73,890 a year, or $35.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $117,640 a year. The top 25% earn $96,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,830 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $53,530 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 1,140 public relations specialists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.