Public Relations Specialist Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$81,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $74,750
State Rank
#5 of 51
28,250 employed here

How much does a Public Relations Specialist make in New York?

A Public Relations Specialist working in New York earns a median salary of $81,250 per year, or about $39.06 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $74,750 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $51,730 while the top 10% make $157,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,420 and $107,920 a year.

Public Relations Specialist salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$51,730$24.87
25th percentile (early career)$63,420$30.49
50th percentile (median)$81,250$39.06
75th percentile (experienced)$107,920$51.88
90th percentile (top earners)$157,610$75.77

How New York compares

New York ranks 5th 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 New York

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 New York pay ($81,250) 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 New York?
The median Public Relations Specialist salary in New York is $81,250 per year, or about $39.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,730 at the entry level to $157,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Public Relations Specialists about 9% more than the national median of $74,750. New York ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Public Relations Specialists?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,250 a year. About 28,250 Public Relations Specialists are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.