Washington Median
$87,470
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $74,750
State Rank
#2 of 51
6,430 employed here
How much does a Public Relations Specialist make in Washington?
A Public Relations Specialist working in Washington earns a median salary of $87,470 per year, or about $42.05 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $74,750 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $60,760 while the top 10% make $136,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,140 and $111,890 a year.
Public Relations Specialist salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,760 | $29.21 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $71,140 | $34.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,470 | $42.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $111,890 | $53.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,020 | $65.39 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Public Relations Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Public Relations Specialist salary in other states
District of Columbia $102,740California $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($87,470) 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 Washington?
The median Public Relations Specialist salary in Washington is $87,470 per year, or about $42.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,760 at the entry level to $136,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Public Relations Specialists about 17% more than the national median of $74,750. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Public Relations Specialists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $87,470 a year. About 6,430 Public Relations Specialists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.