Public Relations Managers Salary
The median pay for a public relations managers in North Carolina is $132,280/year ($63.6/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $229K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $142,758 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 15.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $132K get you in North Carolina?
About public relations managers
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Public relations managers pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $132K locally vs. $147K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 16.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level public relations managers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $132K. Top earners bring in $229K or more, a $150K spread from bottom to top.
Public Relations Managers salary by metro in North Carolina
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | $141K | +6% | 100 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $138K | +4% | 220 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $136K | +3% | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $135K | +2% | 430 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $131K | -1% | 350 |
| Wilmington | $124K | -6% | 30 |
| Asheville | $103K | -22% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track public relations managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a public relations manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $132K, rent takes 16.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for public relations managers in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new public relations managers typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,759/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is public relations manager a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $132K locally vs. $147K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for public relations managers?
North Carolina pays $132K median vs. the U.S. average of $147K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $143K — below the national median.
How much do public relations managers make in North Carolina?
The median is $132,280 a year, that works out to about $64 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,320, and experienced public relations managers can clear $229,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $132K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,935/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 16.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a public relations managers salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median public relations managers salary is worth about $142,758 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do public relations managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.