As of September 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Public Affairs Officer in the US is $137,510, equivalent to $66 per hour, $2,644 weekly, or $11,459 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 $117,276 to $165,319. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($126,919) and 75th percentile ($152,066), while top earners (90th percentile) make $165,319 per year. This $25,147 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 $117,276 US September 01, 2026
25th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $126,919 US September 01, 2026
50th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $137,510 US September 01, 2026
75th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $152,066 US September 01, 2026
90th Percentile Public Affairs Officer Salary $165,319 US September 01, 2026
25% $126,919 10% $117,276 90% $165,319 75% $152,066 $137,510 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Public Affairs Officer

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
126919
152066
137510

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
131754
170577
149397
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 $126,919 to $152,066 with the average base salary of $137,510. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $131,754 to $170,577 with the average total cash compensation of $149,397.

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126919
152066

 

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