As of July 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Public Affairs Officer in the US is $137,451, equivalent to $66 per hour, $2,643 weekly, or $11,454 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Public Affairs Officer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Public Affairs Officer in the US vary widely, spanning from $117,130 to $165,120. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($126,815) and 75th percentile ($151,934), while top earners (90th percentile) make $165,120 per year. This $25,119 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Brand Awareness, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Public Affairs Officer often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 79 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Public Affairs Officer Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $117,130 US July 01, 2026
25th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $126,815 US July 01, 2026
50th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $137,451 US July 01, 2026
75th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $151,934 US July 01, 2026
90th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $165,120 US July 01, 2026
25% $126,815 10% $117,130 90% $165,120 75% $151,934 $137,451 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Ohio Dominican University - Columbus, OH

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EASTON. - Columbus, OH

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Public Affairs Officer

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
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137451

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
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148660
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Public Affairs Officer in the United States. The base salary for Public Affairs Officer ranges from $126,815 to $151,934 with the average base salary of $137,451. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $131,107 to $169,736 with the average total cash compensation of $148,660.

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126815
151934

 

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