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Community Relations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Community Relations Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Community Relations Manager in the United States is $108,354 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Community Relations Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,265
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,008 to $119,823
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $92,409
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Community Relations Manager Salaries

A Community Relations Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Community Relations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Community Relations Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Community Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $119,604
  • Community Relations Specialist V (7-10 years): $152,400
  • Community Relations Manager (10+ years): $108,354
  • Community Relations Senior Manager (10+ years): $156,470
  • Community Relations Director (10+ years): $184,383
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Community Relations Specialist IV7+ years$119,604
Community Relations Specialist V7-10 years$152,400
Community Relations Manager10+ years$108,354
Community Relations Senior Manager10+ years$156,470
Community Relations Director10+ years$184,383
View as Graph

How Do Community Relations Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Community Relations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $119,970.
  • California: $119,514.
  • Massachusetts: $117,922.

Top Paying Cities for Community Relations Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $136,667
  • San Francisco: $135,171
  • Oakland: $132,322

What Skills Can Increase a Community Relations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.07% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Property Management Software (Mentioned in 3.21% Job Postings): Property management software is a program designed to help property managers manage residential and commercial properties on behalf of their owners.
  • Sales and Marketing (Mentioned in 2.03% Job Postings): Marketing consists of the strategies your company employs to generate interest in your business. Sales are the methods by which you convert that interest into a transaction.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.07%
Property Management Software 3.21%
Sales and Marketing 2.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Community Relations Manager's salary.

  • Community Management: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • CRM: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Community Management $111,605
3%
Coaching $111,605
3%
CRM $111,605
3%
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Community Relations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Community Relations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $121,090. While startup companies pay approximate $102,430.

Community Relations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $102,430
Growth Stage 51~500 $108,330
Established 501~5000 $116,928
Enterprise 5000+ $121,090

Community Relations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Community Relations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Community Relations Manager positions in Aerospace & Defense or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Community Relations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Community Relations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$130,025$63.020%
Healthcare$124,607$60.015%
Software & Networking$121,356$58.012%
Financial Services$119,189$57.010%
Media$117,022$56.08%

How Education impacts a Community Relations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Community Relations Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Community Relations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $107,796 and $117,491.

Community Relations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Community Relations Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.7%
High School 5.7%
Associates 4.1%
Bachelors 61.7%
Masters 27.6%
Doctorate 0.8%
View as Graph

Community Relations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Community Relations Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$100,008
Average $108,354/year
$119,823
$8,334
Average $9,030/month
$9,985
$1,923
Average $2,084/week
$2,304
$48
Average $52/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $119,823 $9,985 $2,304 $58
Average $108,354 $9,030 $2,084 $52
25th Percentile $100,008 $8,334 $1,923 $48

Community Relations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Community Relations Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Community Relations Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Community Relations Senior Manager $156,470 44%
Media Relations Manager $109,059 1%
Public Relations Senior Manager $161,025 49%

Most common benefits for Community Relations Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Community Relations Manager

Here are companies hiring for Community Relations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Community Relations Manager

1. Where can a Community Relations Manager earn the most?

A Community Relations Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Community Relations Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Community Relations Manager is $136,667.

2. What is the highest pay for Community Relations Manager?

The highest pay for Community Relations Manager is $130,265.

3. What is the lowest pay for Community Relations Manager?

The lowest pay for Community Relations Manager is $92,409.

4. What are the responsibilities of Community Relations Manager?

Manages programs supporting the corporate strategy designed to promote and represent the organization and brand as a socially responsible force in the community. Creates and plans outreach programs that engage, support, and partner with the community and produce a positive impact to address local issues. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop clear objectives and deliver meaningful and measurable results. Supports community relations programs' entire life cycle, including coordinating events, managing volunteers, and executing grant proposals. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Community Relations Manager?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Community Relations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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