Public Relations Managers Salary
The median pay for a public relations managers in Washington is $159,440/year ($76.65/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $105K at the entry level to $255K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $156,298 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 17.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $159K get you in Washington?
About public relations managers
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What this looks like in Washington
Public relations managers pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $159K locally vs. $147K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 18.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level public relations managers (10th percentile) start around $105K. Mid-career wages sit at $159K. Top earners bring in $255K or more, a $151K spread from bottom to top.
Public Relations Managers salary by metro in Washington
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $167K | +4% | 1,110 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $148K | -7% | 150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $137K | -14% | 80 |
| Bellingham | $128K | -19% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track public relations managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a public relations manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $159K, rent takes 18.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for public relations managers in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new public relations managers typically earn — is $105K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,270/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 29% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is public relations manager a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $159K locally vs. $147K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for public relations managers?
Washington pays $159K median vs. the U.S. average of $147K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $156K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do public relations managers make in Washington?
The median is $159,440 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $104,500, and experienced public relations managers can clear $255,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $159K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,978/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 18.3% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median public relations managers salary is worth about $156,298 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.