Public Relations Specialists Salary
The median pay for a public relations specialists in Tennessee is $60,900/year ($29.28/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $67,832 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 28.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $61K get you in Tennessee?
About public relations specialists
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Pay for public relations specialists in Tennessee runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $75K. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Tennessee
Entry-level public relations specialists (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Public Relations Specialists salary by metro in Tennessee
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $66K | +9% | 330 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $63K | +3% | 1,350 |
| Memphis | $61K | +0% | 670 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $60K | -2% | 90 |
| Knoxville | $57K | -6% | 420 |
| Clarksville | $57K | -7% | 80 |
| Jackson | $53K | -14% | 40 |
| Johnson City | $52K | -15% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track public relations specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a public relations specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 28.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for public relations specialists in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new public relations specialists typically earn — is $37K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,247/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 Tennessee?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $61K here vs. $75K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for public relations specialists?
Tennessee pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $75K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — below the national median.
How much do public relations specialists make in Tennessee?
The median is $60,900 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,450, and experienced public relations specialists can clear $98,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,248/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 28.6% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $67,832 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.