How much does a public relations specialist make in Chicago?
$77,050a year
Median yearly pay for public relations specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $37.04 an hour or $6,421 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.04
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 45 of 363
- Jobs in the area
- 4,920
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,460Median: $77,050Highest 10%: $150,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,460 | $23.78 | |
| 25th | $60,610 | $29.14 | |
| Median | $77,050 | $37.04 | |
| 75th | $107,100 | $51.50 | |
| 90th | $150,900 | $72.54 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for public relations specialists.
| Bloomington, IL | $91,630 |
| Peoria, IL | $76,150 |
| Springfield, IL | $71,110 |
| Champaign, IL | $67,130 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,170 |
| Davenport, IA | $62,880 |
| Rockford, IL | $62,500 |
| Paducah, KY | $50,500 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37.04 ($77,050 a year).
Do public relations specialists make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $77,050 against $74,750 nationally, 3% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $76,380, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for public relations specialist pay?
45 of 363 metro areas with data.
How much does a public relations specialist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,460 or less a year; the top 10% make $150,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.