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Associate Director of Public Relations Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Director of Public Relations make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Director of Public Relations in the United States is $103,611 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, an Associate Director of Public Relations's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,350
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,234 to $113,943
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,966
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Paid Annually Paid Monthly Paid Semimonthly Paid Biweekly Paid Weekly Paid Hourly
View as table View as graph 25% $91,234 10% $79,966 90% $123,350 75% $113,943 $103,611 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Associate Director of Public Relations Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $113,943 $9,495 $2,191 $55
Average $103,611 $8,634 $1,993 $50
25th Percentile $91,234 $7,603 $1,755 $44
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Key Factors That Influence Associate Director of Public Relations Salaries

An Associate Director of Public Relations'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 Associate Director of Public Relations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Director of Public Relations'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): $92,904
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,156
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $95,825
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $98,329
  • Expert (over 8 years): $101,459
Levels Salary
Entry Level Associate Director of Public Relations$92,904
Intermediate Level Associate Director of Public Relations$94,156
Senior Level Associate Director of Public Relations$95,825
Specialist Level Associate Director of Public Relations$98,329
Expert Level Associate Director of Public Relations$101,459
$92,904 0 yr
$94,156 < 2 yrs
$95,825 2-4 yrs
$98,329 5-8 yrs
$101,459 > 8 yrs
View as Table
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Associate Director of Public Relations 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 Associate Director of Public Relations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $114,718.
  • California: $114,283.
  • Massachusetts: $112,760.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Director of Public Relations

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: $130,685
  • San Francisco: $129,254
  • Oakland: $126,530

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Director of Public Relations's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.73% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Data Capture (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Data capture is the process of extracting information from paper or electronic documents and converting it into data for key systems.
  • Stakeholder Management (Mentioned in 1.62% Job Postings): Stakeholder management is a critical component to the successful delivery of any project, programme or activity. A stakeholder is any individual, group or organization that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a programme. In a nutshell, the stakeholder management comprises four steps: Identify, recognize and acknowledge stakeholder; Determine their influence and interest; Establish communication management plan Influencing and engaging stakeholder
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.73%
Data Capture 1.62%
Stakeholder Management 1.62%
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 an Associate Director of Public Relations's salary.
  • Operational Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Medical Services: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Vendor Management: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Operational Planning
 $140,911
36%
Medical Services
 $130,550
26%
Vendor Management
 $127,442
23%
Data Quality
 $123,297
19%
Integrity
 $121,225
17%
Quality Assurance
 $116,044
12%
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Associate Director of Public Relations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Director of Public Relations roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Associate Director of Public Relations positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Associate Director of Public Relations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Associate Director of Public Relations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$124,333$60.020%

How Education impacts an Associate Director of Public Relations's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Director of Public Relations 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 an Associate Director of Public Relations with a Bachelor's Degree is between $98,508 and $113,973).

Associate Director of Public Relations Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Director of Public Relations
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 1.3%
Associates 57.3%
Bachelors 24.0%
Masters 57.3%
Doctorate 17.3%
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Associate Director of Public Relations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Director of Public Relations'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 August 01, 2026
$91,234
Average $103,611/year
$113,943
$7,603
Average $8,634/month
$9,495
$1,755
Average $1,993/week
$2,191
$44
Average $50/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,943 $9,495 $2,191 $55
Average $103,611 $8,634 $1,993 $50
25th Percentile $91,234 $7,603 $1,755 $44

Salaries of jobs related to Associate Director of Public Relations

Salary Trends for Associate Director of Public Relations

Salaries for an Associate Director of Public Relations can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,604 in 2023 to around $79,514 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Director of Public Relations salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Associate Director of Public Relations Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$81,604
2024
$80,709
2025
$79,514
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $81,604
2024 $80,709
2025 $79,514
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Associate Director of Public Relations

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Associate Director of Public Relations

Here are companies hiring for Associate Director of Public Relations and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Director of Public Relations job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States

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FAQ about Associate Director of Public Relations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Director of Public Relations?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Director of Public Relations 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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