Virginia ranks 6th of 51 states and D.C. for public relations specialists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($97,800) by $20,000 — a 26% gap.
Public Relations Specialists are more concentrated in Virginia than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.30 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.30× the national share.
Virginia employs roughly 3.4% of all public relations specialists in the country (9,580 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| 25th percentile | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,800 | $37.41 |
| 75th percentile | $104,170 | $50.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,170 | $65.95 |
| Mean (average) | $86,160 | $41.42 |
How Virginia Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (current) | $77,800 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $97,800 | +26% |
| Washington | $85,500 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $83,620 | +7% |
| California | $81,490 | +5% |
| New York | $78,510 | +1% |
| Colorado | $77,120 | -1% |
| Utah | $75,700 | -3% |
| New Jersey | $75,640 | -3% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Virginia
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $77,640 | 9,600 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,980 | 1,890 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,140 | 2,700 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $77,190 | 2,830 |
| Insurance Underwriters | $77,110 | 2,910 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $78,580 | 29,530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Public Relations Specialists salary in Virginia?
The mean public relations specialists salary in Virginia is $86,160 per year. The median (middle) salary is $77,800 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Public Relations Specialists in Virginia?
Entry-level public relations specialistss (10th percentile) in Virginia typically earn around $43,960 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $57,860 per year.
What is the highest Public Relations Specialists salary in Virginia?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Virginia make approximately $137,170 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $104,170 per year.
How does the Virginia Public Relations Specialists salary compare to the national average?
The median public relations specialists salary in Virginia is $77,800, which is +11% above national average of $69,780.