Public Relations Specialists Salary
The median pay for a public relations specialists in Missouri is $61,130/year ($29.39/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $68,709 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 27.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $61K get you in Missouri?
About public relations specialists
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What this looks like in Missouri
Pay for public relations specialists in Missouri runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $75K. Rent runs $1,097/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Missouri
Entry-level public relations specialists (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Public Relations Specialists salary by metro in Missouri
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $68K | +11% | 1,950 |
| St. Louis | $65K | +7% | 1,990 |
| Jefferson City | $60K | -3% | 250 |
| St. Joseph | $56K | -8% | 40 |
| Cape Girardeau | $54K | -11% | 30 |
| Springfield | $53K | -13% | 290 |
| Joplin | $52K | -15% | 90 |
| Columbia | $48K | -22% | 540 |
Compare to other states
Track public relations specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a public relations specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 26.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for public relations specialists in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new public relations specialists typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,309/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is public relations specialist a high-paying job in Missouri?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $61K here vs. $75K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for public relations specialists?
Missouri pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $75K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do public relations specialists make in Missouri?
The median is $61,130 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,490, and experienced public relations specialists can clear $102,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,086/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 26.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a public relations specialists salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 specialists salary is worth about $68,709 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do public relations specialists 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.