District of Columbia Median
$102,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+37% vs US median
US median $74,750
State Rank
#1 of 51
16,720 employed here
How much does a Public Relations Specialist make in District of Columbia?
Public Relations Specialists in District of Columbia take home a median of $102,740 annually — roughly $49.39 an hour — which runs 37% above the national median of $74,750.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $64,260 while the top 10% make $202,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,200 and $149,120 a year.
Public Relations Specialist salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,260 | $30.89 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $78,200 | $37.60 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $102,740 | $49.39 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $149,120 | $71.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,170 | $97.20 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Public Relations Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Public Relations Specialist salary in other states
Washington $87,470California $85,030Connecticut $84,990New York $81,250Colorado $80,680Virginia $80,380New Jersey $80,130Massachusetts $79,660Maryland $79,560Rhode Island $77,540Illinois $76,380Delaware $76,120Oregon $74,900Nevada $73,840New Hampshire $73,280Georgia $73,200North Dakota $70,280Alaska $70,050New Mexico $68,700Minnesota $68,620Wyoming $67,490Wisconsin $67,240North Carolina $67,230Arizona $66,710Vermont $66,060Michigan $65,300Texas $65,160Arkansas $65,000Oklahoma $64,920Indiana $64,900Kansas $64,860Ohio $64,840South Dakota $64,520Hawaii $63,880Montana $63,780Florida $63,660Iowa $62,970South Carolina $62,730Utah $62,670Maine $62,450Nebraska $61,780Alabama $61,710Missouri $61,130Idaho $61,110Tennessee $60,900Louisiana $60,470Kentucky $60,150Mississippi $59,810Pennsylvania $57,460West Virginia $56,730
Working as a Public Relations Specialist in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 283,000 people work as Public Relations Specialists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($102,740) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Public Relations Specialist make in District of Columbia?
The median Public Relations Specialist salary in District of Columbia is $102,740 per year, or about $49.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,260 at the entry level to $202,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Public Relations Specialists about 37% more than the national median of $74,750. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Public Relations Specialists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $102,740 a year. About 16,720 Public Relations Specialists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Public Relations Specialist salary report
Related salaries
$62,200
median pay · 39,000 employed
$77,920
median pay · 92,000 employed
$72,420
median pay · 13,000 employed
$73,710
median pay · 13,000 employed
$80,960
median pay · 21,000 employed
$64,950
median pay · 9,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.