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Public Relations Senior Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Relations Senior Manager in the United States is $160,869 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $192,069
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,120 to $177,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,960
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View as table View as graph 25% $143,120 10% $126,960 90% $192,069 75% $177,200 $160,869 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Public Relations Senior Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $177,200 $14,767 $3,408 $85
Average $160,869 $13,406 $3,094 $77
25th Percentile $143,120 $11,927 $2,752 $69
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Key Factors That Influence Public Relations Senior Manager Salaries

A Public Relations Senior 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 Public Relations Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Public Relations Senior 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $154,246
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $155,041
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $156,895
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,015
  • Expert (over 8 years): $162,575
Levels Salary
Entry Level Public Relations Senior Manager$154,246
Intermediate Level Public Relations Senior Manager$155,041
Senior Level Public Relations Senior Manager$156,895
Specialist Level Public Relations Senior Manager$159,015
Expert Level Public Relations Senior Manager$162,575
$154,246 0 yr
$155,041 < 2 yrs
$156,895 2-4 yrs
$159,015 5-8 yrs
$162,575 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Public Relations Senior 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: $202,904
  • San Francisco: $200,909
  • Oakland: $196,453

What Skills Can Increase a Public Relations Senior Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.18% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Marketing Communications (Mentioned in 1.75% Job Postings): Marketing communications (MC, marcom(s), marcomm(s)) uses different marketing channels and tools in combination: Marketing communication channels focus on any way a business communicates a message to its desired market, or the market in general. A marketing communication tool can be anything from: advertising, personal selling, direct marketing, sponsorship, communication, and promotion to public relations. MC are made up of the marketing mix which is made up of 4P's: Price, Promotion, Place and Product, for a business selling goods, and made up of 7P's: Price, Promotion, Place, Product, People, Physical evidence and Process, for a service based business.
  • Business Development (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): Business development entails tasks and processes to develop and implement growth opportunities within and between organizations. It is a subset of the fields of business, commerce and organizational theory. Business development is the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships. Business development can be taken to mean any activity by either a small or large organization, non-profit or for-profit enterprise which serves the purpose of ‘developing’ the business in some way. In addition, business development activities can be done internally or externally by a business development consultant. External business development can be facilitated through Planning Systems, which are put in place by governments to help small businesses. In addition, reputation building has also proven to help facilitate business development.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.18%
Marketing Communications 1.75%
Business Development 1.03%
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 Public Relations Senior Manager's salary.
  • Government Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Strategic Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Government Relations
$180,173
12%
Strategic Thinking
$176,956
10%
Client Service
$176,956
10%
Internal Communications
$175,347
9%
Strategic Communication
$175,347
9%
Building Relationships
$173,739
8%
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How Education impacts a Public Relations Senior Manager's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Public Relations Senior Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $155,442 and $165,729).

Public Relations Senior Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Public Relations Senior Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 2.2%
Associates 1.8%
Bachelors 64.9%
Masters 29.5%
Doctorate 1.3%
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Public Relations Senior Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Public Relations Senior 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 January 01, 2026

Public Relations Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Public Relations Senior 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.

Public Relations Senior Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Community Relations Director $184,303 15%
VP of Public Relations $252,652 57%

Salary Trends for Public Relations Senior Manager

Salaries for a Public Relations Senior Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $171,734 in 2023 to around $160,261 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Public Relations Senior Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Public Relations Senior Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$171,734
2024
$166,197
2025
$160,261
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $171,734
2024 $166,197
2025 $160,261
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Public Relations Senior Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Public Relations Senior Manager

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FAQ about Public Relations Senior Manager

1. Where can a Public Relations Senior Manager earn the most?

A Public Relations Senior 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 Public Relations Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Public Relations Senior Manager is $202,904.

2. What is the highest pay for Public Relations Senior Manager?

The highest pay for Public Relations Senior Manager is $192,069.

3. What is the lowest pay for Public Relations Senior Manager?

The lowest pay for Public Relations Senior Manager is $126,960.

4. What are the responsibilities of Public Relations Senior Manager?

Directs and implements a company's public relations strategies. Manages media relations, announcements, editorial placement, and speaking opportunities. Evaluates and authorizes all forms of communication regarding the organization for release to the public. Develops press releases, white papers and supporting materials. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

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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