How Much Does a Public Relations Executive Make? (2025)
A public relations executive plans, directs, and manages an organization's PR strategies to maintain a consistent, positive public image. The role includes overseeing communications with media outlets, developing key messaging, maintaining public goodwill, and aligning efforts with corporate goals, while following communication policies and managing challenges professionally.
They respond to inquiries and crises in a dynamic business environment, review performance metrics, support the team, develop creative strategies to create compelling content, build brand identity, manage social media profiles, and handle a variety of tasks. According to Salary.com, a public relations executive earns a national average of $252,548 per year or $121 per hour in the United States.
Use this salary guide to learn more about public relations executive salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and common questions about the role.
What is the Public Relations Executive's Salary?
As of October 2025, the average public relations executive salary in the United States is $252,548 per year or $121 per hour. The salary range for public relations executives is between $207,719 and $280,376, with most earnings of $229,083 to $267,114 per year.
The median public relations executive salary reflects a stable and competitive income for skilled relations executives in this field.
2025 Average Salary for Public Relations Executive: $252,548 per year ($121 per hour)
A public relations executive reported an average monthly salary of $21,045, while the average weekly pay is $4,849. Moreover, the average public relations executive salary per hour is $121, according to a recent Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $100 | $3,995 | $17,310 | $207,719 |
| 25th Percentile | $110 | $4,405 | $19,090 | $229,083 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $121 | $4,857 | $21,046 | $252,548 |
| 75th Percentile | $128 | $5,137 | $22,260 | $267,114 |
| 90th Percentile | $135 | $5,392 | $23,365 | $280,376 |
In addition to base pay, public relations executive often receive overtime pay, which significantly boosts their income. The average total compensation, including overtime and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, reaches $415,087 per year in the U.S., making this a financially rewarding career for those who qualify.
Public Relations Executive Average Salaries State by State
Public relations executive salary differs across U.S. states and territories due to factors such as job demand, geographic location, cost of living, and local wage standards.
The table below shows the states and territories with the highest average pay for public relations executive salary: the District of Columbia ($279,623), California ($278,562), and Massachusetts ($274,849).
On the other hand, the states and territories with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($225,222), Arkansas ($228,151), and West Virginia ($227,419).
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $273,385 |
| Alabama | $232,016 |
| Arkansas | $228,151 |
| Arizona | $246,083 |
| California | $278,562 |
| Colorado | $257,675 |
| Connecticut | $269,899 |
| District of Columbia | $279,623 |
| Delaware | $255,756 |
| Florida | $238,961 |
| Georgia | $243,583 |
| Hawaii | $263,964 |
| Iowa | $241,689 |
| Idaho | $235,753 |
| Illinois | $257,423 |
| Indiana | $242,421 |
| Kansas | $240,476 |
| Kentucky | $237,648 |
| Louisiana | $240,123 |
| Massachusetts | $274,849 |
| Maryland | $260,403 |
| Maine | $246,235 |
| Michigan | $248,710 |
| Minnesota | $258,433 |
| Missouri | $239,946 |
| Mississippi | $225,222 |
| Montana | $238,431 |
| North Carolina | $239,996 |
| North Dakota | $249,467 |
| Nebraska | $237,925 |
| New Hampshire | $255,311 |
| New Jersey | $273,738 |
| New Mexico | $233,910 |
| Nevada | $249,947 |
| New York | $268,485 |
| Ohio | $245,906 |
| Oklahoma | $233,506 |
| Oregon | $256,463 |
| Pennsylvania | $251,412 |
| Rhode Island | $261,843 |
| South Carolina | $236,637 |
| South Dakota | $229,515 |
| Tennessee | $236,006 |
| Texas | $246,336 |
| Utah | $241,840 |
| Virginia | $254,316 |
| Vermont | $247,876 |
| Washington | $273,839 |
| Wisconsin | $248,432 |
| West Virginia | $227,419 |
| Wyoming | $242,194 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Public Relations Executive?
Public relations executive salary also varies by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salaries for public relations executives, at $318,542 and $315,410, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $318,542 |
| San Francisco, CA | $315,410 |
| Oakland, CA | $308,414 |
| New York, NY | $292,680 |
| Queens Village, NY | $290,786 |
| Paramus, NJ | $288,765 |
In cities like San Jose and San Francisco, companies actively find candidates with expertise in financial transactions, offering competitive salaries to attract top talent.
How Does Experience Affect Public Relations Executive?
Public relations executive salary grows with experience. Salary.com reports that entry-level executives earn about $238,235 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $252,398 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Public Relations Executive | $238,235 |
| Intermediate Level Public Relations Executive | $240,307 |
| Senior Level Public Relations Executive | $243,071 |
| Specialist Level Public Relations Executive | $247,216 |
| Expert Level Public Relations Executive | $252,398 |
How to Increase Salary as a Public Relations Executive?
If you're working as a public relations executive and looking to boost your income, there are several strategic ways to advance your career and increase your earning potential.
Public Relations Executive Advancements
- Develop High-Demand Skills: Focus on strengthening essential skills such as Vendor Management, DEIB, and Event Management. These skills are highly sought after and can make you more valuable to your employer, increasing your chances of a salary boost.
- Pursue Career Advancement: Seek opportunities to move into senior or managerial roles within public relations. Taking on more responsibility and leadership positions often comes with better compensation and benefits.
- Invest in Education and Training: Enhance your expertise by gaining certifications or additional training in areas like strategic communication and event management. Upskilling shows your commitment to professional growth and can open doors to higher-paying job opportunities.
Public Relations Executive Skills
Public relations executives with specialized skills can increase their pay. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) skills can boost salaries by +7.79%, while Event Management skills add +7.77%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) | 10.00% | +7.79% |
| Event Management | 10.00% | +7.77% |
| Vendor Management | 10.00% | +7.34% |
| Quality Assurance | 10.00% | +7.29% |
| Content Strategy | 10.50% | +7.24% |
| Staff Training | 10.20% | +6.99% |
What are the FAQs About Public Relations Executive Salaries?
Here are some common questions about public relations executive salary:
Is public relations executive a high paying job?
It depends. The public relations executive average salary in the U.S. is $252,548, but it can go up to $280,376 based on experience and skills. Pay also varies by location, industry, and job type. Top earners often work in big cities, for example, San Jose, California, where the average salary is $318,542, in the highest paying industries.
What does the public relations executive do?
Leads and manages an organization's PR strategy to build and maintain a positive public image.
- Oversees PR policies, objectives, and initiatives
- Ensures consistent external communications
- Develops strategic PR goals
- Approves departmental policies
- Leads the PR department within the corporate structure
What skills do you need to be a public relations executive?
Key skills for a Public Relations Executive include Content Strategy, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Event Management, Vendor Management, and Quality Assurance. These skills are in high demand and are associated with strong salary increases, making them essential for success in the role.
