Public Relations Specialist III Salary in the United States
How much does a Public Relations Specialist III make in the United States?
As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Public Relations Specialist III in the United States is $94,723 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Public Relations Specialist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,674
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $83,547 to $106,213
Key Factors That Influence Public Relations Specialist III Salaries
A Public Relations Specialist III'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 III'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 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
$61,019Public Re...
$75,432Public Re...
$94,723Public Re...
$118,077Public Re...
$133,295Public Re...
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Public Relations Specialist III 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 Public Relations Specialist IIIs.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Top Paying Cities for Public Relations Specialist IIIs
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: $119,474
San Francisco: $118,166
Oakland: $115,676
San Jose, CA$119,474
San Francisco, CA$118,166
Oakland, CA$115,676
New York, NY$109,063
Paramus, NJ$107,737
Queens Village, NY$107,732
Passaic, NJ$107,642
Bergenfield, NJ$107,634
Stamford, CT$107,425
Huntington, NY$107,387
Newark, NJ$106,687
Bridgeport, CT$106,487
Vallejo, CA$106,298
New Brunswick, NJ$106,260
Petaluma, CA$106,203
Middlesex, NJ$106,023
Somerset, NJ$105,957
Santa Cruz, CA$105,834
Boston, MA$105,256
Monterey, CA$104,924
Seattle, WA$104,707
Santa Rosa, CA$104,688
Los Angeles, CA$104,659
Juneau, AK$104,413
Washington, DC$104,309
Orange, CA$103,972
Santa Ana, CA$103,722
Long Beach, CA$103,627
Anaheim, CA$103,608
Anchorage, AK$103,561
Santa Maria, CA$103,276
Everett, WA$103,258
Danbury, CT$102,924
Bremerton, WA$102,793
Tacoma, WA$102,452
New Suffolk, NY$102,451
Sacramento, CA$102,424
Santa Barbara, CA$102,320
Trenton, NJ$102,216
San Diego, CA$102,216
Brockton, MA$102,111
Fairbanks, AK$101,879
Lompoc, CA$101,638
Lowell, MA$101,561
Ventura, CA$101,543
Nashua, NH$101,524
Stockton, CA$101,515
Modesto, CA$100,823
Poughkeepsie, NY$100,615
Olympia, WA$100,435
Kennewick, WA$100,435
New Haven, CT$100,397
Lawrence, MA$100,056
Hartford, CT$99,961
Riverside, CA$99,942
New Bedford, MA$99,848
Richland, WA$99,848
Bakersfield, CA$99,715
San Bernardino, CA$99,677
New Britain, CT$99,668
Atlantic City, NJ$99,668
New London, CT$99,630
Norwich, CT$99,601
Portsmouth, NH$99,582
Boulder, CO$99,381
Portland, OR$99,251
Worcester, MA$99,241
Minneapolis, MN$98,948
Philadelphia, PA$98,815
Honolulu, HI$98,502
Saint Paul, MN$98,457
Vineland, NJ$98,436
Providence, RI$98,161
Chicago, IL$97,887
Bellingham, WA$97,773
Springfield, MA$97,697
Baltimore, MD$97,669
Chico, CA$97,432
Pittsfield, MA$97,176
Manchester, NH$96,996
Spokane, WA$96,580
Denver, CO$96,570
Albany, NY$96,125
Troy, NY$96,087
Nassau, NY$95,986
Schenectady, NY$95,888
Wilmington, DE$95,812
Burlington, VT$95,680
Salem, OR$95,642
Portland, ME$95,348
Yakima, WA$95,253
Rochester, MN$94,960
Reno, NV$94,912
Fresno, CA$94,912
Milwaukee, WI$94,827
Detroit, MI$94,732
Ann Arbor, MI$94,716
Allentown, PA$94,704
Colorado Springs, CO$94,543
Syracuse, NY$94,496
Carson City, NV$94,496
Houston, TX$94,363
Eugene, OR$94,316
Gary, IN$94,202
Springfield, OR$94,126
Bismarck, ND$94,107
Galveston, TX$94,041
Medford, OR$93,899
Fort Collins, CO$93,861
Concord, NH$93,814
Austin, TX$93,785
Mesa, AZ$93,586
Reading, PA$93,577
Phoenix, AZ$93,567
Dallas, TX$93,539
Saint Cloud, MN$93,448
Madison, WI$93,321
Utica, NY$93,065
Rochester, NY$92,914
Des Moines, IA$92,904
Raleigh, NC$92,895
Atlanta, GA$92,753
Battle Creek, MI$92,724
Salt Lake City, UT$92,696
Lancaster, PA$92,554
Harrisburg, PA$92,421
Kansas City, MO$92,327
Champaign, IL$92,308
Kansas City, KS$92,308
Fort Worth, TX$92,298
Columbus, OH$92,282
Boca Raton, FL$92,260
Pittsburgh, PA$92,222
Richmond, VA$92,184
Indianapolis, IN$92,165
Cleveland, OH$92,156
Las Vegas, NV$92,042
Cincinnati, OH$92,042
Petersburg, VA$91,900
Huntsville, AL$91,758
Lansing, MI$91,695
Lebanon, PA$91,682
Pueblo, CO$91,673
Appleton, WI$91,645
Buffalo, NY$91,607
Dayton, OH$91,578
Racine, WI$91,559
Charlotte, NC$91,550
Saint Louis, MO$91,521
York, PA$91,465
Elkhart, IN$91,465
Gastonia, NC$91,447
Billings, MT$91,424
Beaumont, TX$91,398
Lorain, OH$91,379
Benton Harbor, MI$91,360
Toledo, OH$91,341
Binghamton, NY$91,294
Rock Hill, SC$91,285
Rockford, IL$91,237
Springfield, IL$91,199
Elyria, OH$91,190
Fargo, ND$91,190
Flagstaff, AZ$91,124
Fort Lauderdale, FL$91,067
Duluth, MN$91,010
Miami, FL$91,010
Cheyenne, WY$90,944
Grand Forks, ND$90,944
Bangor, ME$90,735
Cedar Rapids, IA$90,631
Durham, NC$90,591
Louisville, KY$90,584
Grand Rapids, MI$90,565
Hialeah, FL$90,555
Casper, WY$90,423
Scranton, PA$90,309
New Orleans, LA$90,280
Virginia Beach, VA$90,271
Akron, OH$90,224
Peoria, IL$90,101
Sarasota, FL$90,082
Nashville, TN$90,015
Omaha, NE$90,015
Green Bay, WI$90,015
Baton Rouge, LA$89,968
Charleston, SC$89,949
Jamestown, NY$89,902
Davenport, IA$89,902
Tucson, AZ$89,854
Saint Petersburg, FL$89,797
Tampa, FL$89,778
Evansville, IN$89,722
Port Arthur, TX$89,722
Bradenton, FL$89,684
Santa Fe, NM$89,513
Orlando, FL$89,343
Clearwater, FL$89,314
Canton, OH$89,115
La Crosse, WI$89,115
Albuquerque, NM$89,059
Newport News, VA$89,049
High Point, NC$89,021
Ogden, UT$88,983
Corpus Christi, TX$88,907
Norfolk, VA$88,850
Laramie, WY$88,850
Rock Island, IL$88,793
Saginaw, MI$88,774
Jacksonville, FL$88,765
Salisbury, NC$88,746
Boise, ID$88,727
Moline, IL$88,680
Fort Myers, FL$88,651
Memphis, TN$88,632
Tulsa, OK$88,585
Waterloo, IA$88,528
Spartanburg, SC$88,433
Lincoln, NE$88,386
Fort Wayne, IN$88,367
Provo, UT$88,358
Cedar Falls, IA$88,244
San Antonio, TX$88,206
Greensboro, NC$88,168
South Bend, IN$88,159
Savannah, GA$88,055
Muskegon, MI$88,017
Birmingham, AL$88,007
Winston Salem, NC$87,961
Lake Charles, LA$87,732
Anderson, IN$87,713
Lexington, KY$87,685
Augusta, GA$87,657
Greenville, SC$87,657
Lima, OH$87,581
Wichita, KS$87,571
Tuscaloosa, AL$87,571
Columbia, SC$87,486
Springfield, OH$87,467
Asheville, NC$87,316
Bloomington, IN$87,249
Knoxville, TN$86,908
Shreveport, LA$86,899
Wilmington, NC$86,776
Roanoke, VA$86,776
Topeka, KS$86,605
Frankfort, KY$86,595
Oklahoma City, OK$86,529
Chillicothe, OH$86,492
Longview, TX$86,482
Melbourne, FL$86,473
Sioux Falls, SD$86,321
Mobile, AL$86,312
Terre Haute, IN$86,274
Altoona, PA$86,217
Amarillo, TX$86,151
Killeen, TX$86,122
Fayetteville, AR$86,046
Chattanooga, TN$86,018
Sioux City, IA$85,933
Idaho Falls, ID$85,914
Lynchburg, VA$85,838
Gainesville, FL$85,715
Portsmouth, OH$85,667
Little Rock, AR$85,649
Lafayette, LA$85,611
Youngstown, OH$85,611
Daytona Beach, FL$85,554
Clarksville, TN$85,544
Pensacola, FL$85,535
Temple, TX$85,528
Hopkinsville, KY$85,251
Erie, PA$85,232
Florence, SC$85,194
Charleston, WV$85,042
Great Falls, MT$84,995
Macon, GA$84,862
Tallahassee, FL$84,853
Fayetteville, NC$84,834
Waco, TX$84,815
Helena, MT$84,749
Pine Bluff, AR$84,713
Vincennes, IN$84,597
Lubbock, TX$84,559
Alamogordo, NM$84,502
Twin Falls, ID$84,417
Rapid City, SD$84,389
Jackson, MS$84,218
Huntington, WV$84,212
Greenville, MS$84,209
Parkersburg, WV$84,112
Montgomery, AL$84,095
Wichita Falls, TX$84,000
Springfield, MO$84,000
Biloxi, MS$83,953
Monroe, LA$83,858
Johnstown, PA$83,792
Sumter, SC$83,754
Columbus, GA$83,745
Pascagoula, MS$83,565
Abilene, TX$83,565
Kingsport, TN$83,318
Albany, GA$83,318
Gulfport, MS$83,290
Alexandria, LA$82,977
Fort Smith, AR$82,741
El Paso, TX$82,485
Las Cruces, NM$82,059
Harlingen, TX$81,818
Pocatello, ID$81,803
Florence, AL$81,680
Brownsville, TX$81,661
Mcallen, TX$81,462
Dothan, AL$81,329
Columbus, MS$80,767
Altus, OK$80,325
Lawton, OK$80,145
Pierre, SD$79,804
What Skills Can Increase a Public Relations Specialist III's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Leadership (Mentioned in 4.69% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
Advertising (Mentioned in 1.52% Job Postings): Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea.:465 Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message. It differs from personal selling in that the message is non-personal, i.e., not directed to a particular individual.:661,672 Advertising is communicated through various mass media, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of the message in a medium is referred to as an advertisement, or "ad" or advert for short. Commercial ads often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding", which associates a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, ads that intend to elicit an immediate sale are known as direct-response advertising. Non-commercial entities that advertise more than consumer products or services include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may use free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. Advertising may also help to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful.
Fiscal Management (Mentioned in 1.04% Job Postings): Fiscal management is the process of keeping an organization running efficiently within its allotted budget.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Leadership
4.69%
Advertising
1.52%
Fiscal Management
1.04%
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 III's salary.
Account Management: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Staff Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Account Management
$102,301
8%
Innovation
$102,301
8%
Staff Management
$101,354
7%
Commitment
$100,406
6%
Attention to Detail
$99,459
5%
Flexibility
$99,459
5%
Get Latest Data
Public Relations Specialist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Public Relations Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $105,947.
While startup companies pay approximate $89,599.
Public Relations Specialist III Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$89,599
Growth Stage
51~500
$94,765
Established
501~5000
$102,312
Enterprise
5000+
$105,947
Public Relations Specialist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Public Relations Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average.
In contrast, Public Relations Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Public Relations Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Public Relations Specialist III
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking
$123,140
$59.0
30%
Financial Services
$113,668
$55.0
20%
Biotechnology
$108,931
$52.0
15%
Insurance
$106,090
$51.0
12%
Pharmaceuticals
$106,090
$51.0
12%
How Education impacts a Public Relations Specialist III's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Public Relations Specialist IIIs 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between
$93,791
and $99,352).
Public Relations Specialist III Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Public Relations Specialist III
No Diploma1.0%
High School1.0%
Associates1.3%
Bachelors67.8%
Masters28.2%
Doctorate1.7%
view as table
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
1.0%
High School
1.0%
Associates
1.3%
Bachelors
67.8%
Masters
28.2%
Doctorate
1.7%
view as graph
Public Relations Specialist III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Public Relations Specialist III'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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$83,547
Average$94,723/year
$106,213
$6,962
Average$7,894/month
$8,851
$1,607
Average$1,822/week
$2,043
$40
Average$46/hour
$51
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$106,213
$8,851
$2,043
$51
Average
$94,723
$7,894
$1,822
$46
25th Percentile
$83,547
$6,962
$1,607
$40
Public Relations Specialist III Salary Growth & Career Path
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings.
As a Public Relations Specialist III, 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 III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role
Estimate Salary
Projected Raise
Community Relations Specialist IV
$119,594
26%
Media Relations Manager
$108,361
14%
Public Relations Specialist IV
$118,077
25%
Salaries of jobs related to Public Relations Specialist III
Salaries for a Public Relations Specialist III can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $93,592 in 2023
to around $90,365 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Public Relations Specialist III salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Public Relations Specialist III Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$93,592
2024
$92,143
2025
$90,365
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$93,592
2024
$92,143
2025
$90,365
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Public Relations Specialist III
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers
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Compensation Planning
Common company salaries for Public Relations Specialist III
Here are companies hiring for Public Relations Specialist III and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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FAQ about Public Relations Specialist III
1. Where can a Public Relations Specialist III earn the most?
A Public Relations Specialist III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Public Relations Specialist III is $119,474.
2. What is the highest pay for Public Relations Specialist III?
The highest pay for Public Relations Specialist III is $116,674.
3. What is the lowest pay for Public Relations Specialist III?
The lowest pay for Public Relations Specialist III is $73,372.
4. What are the responsibilities of Public Relations Specialist III?
Prepares and disseminates information regarding an organization through newspapers, periodicals, television, radio and social media. Develops goals and ensures public relations strategies are met. Helps maintain a favorable public image for the organization. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience.
5. What industry pays the highest salary for Public Relations Specialist III?
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Public Relations Specialist III roles,
with salaries approximately 30% 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.