Public Relations Specialist Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Public Relations Specialists in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$60,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $74,750
State Rank
#48 of 51
2,580 employed here

How much does a Public Relations Specialist make in Kentucky?

A Public Relations Specialist working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $60,150 per year, or about $28.92 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $74,750 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $37,190 while the top 10% make $103,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,920 and $77,670 a year.

Public Relations Specialist salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,190$17.88
25th percentile (early career)$47,920$23.04
50th percentile (median)$60,150$28.92
75th percentile (experienced)$77,670$37.34
90th percentile (top earners)$103,530$49.77

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories for Public Relations Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$102,740
2Washington$87,470
3California$85,030
4Connecticut$84,990
5New York$81,250

Working as a Public Relations Specialist in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($60,150) 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 Kentucky?
The median Public Relations Specialist salary in Kentucky is $60,150 per year, or about $28.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,190 at the entry level to $103,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Public Relations Specialists about 20% less than the national median of $74,750. Kentucky ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Public Relations Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,150 a year. About 2,580 Public Relations Specialists are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Public Relations Specialist salary report

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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.