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Salary comparison

Fashion Designers vs. Public Relations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Fashion Designers out-earn Public Relations Specialists by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Fashion Designers land at $80,960 and Public Relations Specialists at $74,750. The education gap is real: fashion designer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while public relations specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Fashion Designers is Massachusetts ($103,520); for Public Relations Specialists it's District of Columbia ($102,740).

Fashion Designers
Public Relations Specialists
Median salary
$80,960
$74,750
Hourly rate
$38.92/hr
$35.94/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,490
$44,110
Senior level (90th %)
$146,870
$135,150
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
21,450
283,380
Job growth (10-year)
2%
4.8%
Category
Arts & Media
Arts & Media
Top-paying state
Massachusetts
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Fashion Designers median pay.

State
Fashion Designers
Public Relations Specialists
Massachusetts
$103,520
$79,660
New Jersey
$101,610
$80,130
New Hampshire
$100,160
$73,280
New York
$98,640
$81,250
Colorado
$94,140
$80,680
Virginia
$94,120
$80,380
Washington
$82,030
$87,470
Connecticut
$81,510
$84,990
Vermont
$79,610
$66,060
Georgia
$78,340
$73,200
North Carolina
$74,990
$67,230
Michigan
$63,430
$65,300
Wisconsin
$57,030
$67,240
Arizona
$45,720
$66,710
Minnesota
$42,110
$68,620

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Fashion Designers or Public Relations Specialists?

Fashion Designers earn more nationally. The median is $80,960 for Fashion Designers versus $74,750 for Public Relations Specialists, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Fashion Designers or Public Relations Specialists?

Public Relations Specialists has the better 10-year outlook at 4.8% projected growth, compared to 2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Fashion Designers or Public Relations Specialists?

Fashion Designers typically requires bachelor's degree. Public Relations Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Fashion Designers get paid the most?

Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Fashion Designers at $103,520/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Fashion Designers vs. Public Relations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Fashion Designers earn $103,520 vs. $79,660 for Public Relations Specialists. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Fashion Designers salary breakdownView →Full Public Relations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Fashion Designers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Public Relations Specialists by take-home payExplore →How to become a fashion designersGuide →How to become a public relations specialistsGuide →