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Public Relations Specialist II Salary in the United States

How much does a Public Relations Specialist II make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Relations Specialist II in the United States is $75,432 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $91,489
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,647 to $83,837
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,380
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,647 10% $64,380 90% $91,489 75% $83,837 $75,432 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Public Relations Specialist II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $83,837 $6,986 $1,612 $40
Average $75,432 $6,286 $1,451 $36
25th Percentile $69,647 $5,804 $1,339 $33

Key Factors That Influence Public Relations Specialist II Salaries

A Public Relations Specialist II'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 Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Public Relations Specialist II'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:

  • Public Relations Specialist I (0-2 years): $61,019
  • Public Relations Specialist II (2-4 years): $75,432
  • Public Relations Specialist III (4-7 years): $94,723
  • Public Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $118,077
  • Public Relations Manager (7+ years): $133,295
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Public Relations Specialist I0-2 years$61,019
Public Relations Specialist II2-4 years$75,432
Public Relations Specialist III4-7 years$94,723
Public Relations Specialist IV7+ years$118,077
Public Relations Manager7+ years$133,295
$61,019 Public Re...
$75,432 Public Re...
$94,723 Public Re...
$118,077 Public Re...
$133,295 Public Re...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Public Relations Specialist IIs

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: $95,142
  • San Francisco: $94,101
  • Oakland: $92,118

What Skills Can Increase a Public Relations Specialist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.94% 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.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.91% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Marketing Research (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): Marketing research is "the process or set of processes that links the producers, customers, and end users to the marketer through information used to identify and define marketing opportunities and problems; generate, refine, and evaluate marketing actions; monitor marketing performance; and improve understanding of marketing as a process. Marketing research specifies the information required to address these issues, designs the method for collecting information, manages and implements the data collection process, analyzes the results, and communicates the findings and their implications." It is the systematic gathering, recording, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data about issues relating to marketing products and services. The goal of marketing research is to identify and assess how changing elements of the marketing mix impacts customer behavior. The term is commonly interchanged with market research; however, expert practitioners may wish to draw a distinction, in that market research is concerned specifically with markets, while marketing research is concerned specifically about marketing processes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.94%
Microsoft Office 1.91%
Marketing Research 1.35%
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 Specialist II's salary.
  • Marketing Research: Can increase your salary by up to 27%.
  • Corporate Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • CRM: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Marketing Research
$95,799
27%
Corporate Communications
$87,501
16%
CRM
$85,238
13%
Relationship Management
$83,730
11%
Campaign Management
$83,730
11%
Building Relationships
$82,221
9%
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Public Relations Specialist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Public Relations Specialist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,370. While startup companies pay approximate $71,352.

Public Relations Specialist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$71,352
Growth Stage51~500$75,466
Established501~5000$81,475
Enterprise5000+$84,370

Public Relations Specialist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Public Relations Specialist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Public Relations Specialist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Public Relations Specialist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Public Relations Specialist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$105,605$51.040%
Energy & Utilities$98,062$47.030%
Media$94,290$45.025%
Aerospace & Defense$90,518$44.020%
Telecom$90,518$44.020%

How Education impacts a Public Relations Specialist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Public Relations Specialist IIs 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 Specialist II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $73,381 and $78,099).

Public Relations Specialist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Public Relations Specialist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 1.0%
Associates 1.0%
Bachelors 73.6%
Masters 23.3%
Doctorate 1.2%
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Public Relations Specialist II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Public Relations Specialist II'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 July 01, 2026

Public Relations Specialist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Public Relations Specialist II, 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 Specialist II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Community Relations Specialist III $96,787 28%
Media Relations Manager $108,361 44%
Public Relations Specialist III $94,723 26%

Salary Trends for Public Relations Specialist II

Salaries for a Public Relations Specialist II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,900 in 2023 to around $73,760 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Public Relations Specialist II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Public Relations Specialist II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$73,900
2024
$74,103
2025
$73,760
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $73,900
2024 $74,103
2025 $73,760
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Public Relations Specialist II

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

Here are companies hiring for Public Relations Specialist II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Public Relations Specialist II

1. Where can a Public Relations Specialist II earn the most?

A Public Relations Specialist II'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 Specialist II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Public Relations Specialist II is $95,142.

2. What is the highest pay for Public Relations Specialist II?

The highest pay for Public Relations Specialist II is $91,489.

3. What is the lowest pay for Public Relations Specialist II?

The lowest pay for Public Relations Specialist II is $64,380.

4. What are the responsibilities of Public Relations Specialist II?

Prepares and disseminates information regarding an organization through newspapers, periodicals, television, radio and social media. Ensures public relations goals and strategies are met. Helps maintain a favorable public image for the organization. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Public Relations Specialist II?

The MFG Nondurable industry offers the highest average compensation for Public Relations Specialist II roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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