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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Media Relations Director in California is $117,578 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Media Relations Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Media Relations Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $128,965 | $10,747 | $2,480 | $62 |
| Average | $117,578 | $9,798 | $2,261 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,530 | $8,628 | $1,991 | $50 |
KTM North America & Subsidiary Inc - Murrieta, CA
CourtAvenue - San Diego, CA
South Florida Tech Hub - Riverside, CA
Pixi Beauty - Los Angeles, CA
A Media Relations Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Media Relations Director'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Media Relations Director | $113,675 |
| Intermediate Level Media Relations Director | $114,261 |
| Senior Level Media Relations Director | $115,626 |
| Specialist Level Media Relations Director | $117,187 |
| Expert Level Media Relations Director | $119,809 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Media Relations Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Media Relations Director 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 Insurance and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Media Relations Director positions in Energy & Utilities or Aerospace & Defense typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Media Relations Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $146,972 | $71.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $141,093 | $68.0 | 20% |
| Chemicals | $129,335 | $62.0 | 10% |
| Financial Services | $129,335 | $62.0 | 10% |
| MFG Nondurable | $129,335 | $62.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Media Relations Director'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $128,965 | $10,747 | $2,480 | $62 |
| Average | $117,578 | $9,798 | $2,261 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,530 | $8,628 | $1,991 | $50 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Media Relations Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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