Illinois ranks 27th of 51 states and D.C. for public relations specialists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($97,800) by $34,210 — a 54% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $38,730 to $111,050 — a $72,320 spread, 18% tighter than the national $88,730 range.
Public Relations Specialists are less concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.58 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.72× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| 25th percentile | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,590 | $30.57 |
| 75th percentile | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,050 | $53.39 |
| Mean (average) | $72,690 | $34.95 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $63,590 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $97,800 | +54% |
| Washington | $85,500 | +34% |
| Connecticut | $83,620 | +31% |
| California | $81,490 | +28% |
| New York | $78,510 | +23% |
| Virginia | $77,800 | +22% |
| Colorado | $77,120 | +21% |
| Utah | $75,700 | +19% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Social Workers, All Other | $63,590 | 1,870 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $63,550 | 14,480 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $63,790 | 3,870 |
| Fundraisers | $63,360 | 4,080 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $64,160 | 61,000 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,950 | 23,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Public Relations Specialists salary in Illinois?
The mean public relations specialists salary in Illinois is $72,690 per year. The median (middle) salary is $63,590 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Public Relations Specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level public relations specialistss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $38,730 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $50,170 per year.
What is the highest Public Relations Specialists salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $111,050 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $86,910 per year.
How does the Illinois Public Relations Specialists salary compare to the national average?
The median public relations specialists salary in Illinois is $63,590, which is -9% below national average of $69,780.