Public Relations Specialist Salary in Austin, TX
Public Relations Specialists in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area earn a median $69,470 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,702 take-home, or $4,809 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Austin, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,453
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,307
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,007
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$57,702
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Austin, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,320 | $21.31 | $37,791 | $3,149 |
| 25th percentile | $53,790 | $25.86 | $45,400 | $3,783 |
| Median (50th) | $69,470 | $33.40 | $57,702 | $4,809 |
| 75th percentile | $86,090 | $41.39 | $69,394 | $5,783 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,270 | $54.46 | $88,515 | $7,376 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,470 buys in Austin, TX
Prices in Austin, TX are 1.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $57,702 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,840 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Austin, TX has 1.8× the national concentration of public relations specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Austin, TX ranks #8 of 22 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $96,000 | $76,366 | $68,716 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $101,680 | $74,688 | $68,594 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $102,520 | $74,315 | $64,279 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $89,640 | $66,619 | $62,454 |
| 5 | Charlotte, NC | $75,190 | $59,235 | $60,849 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $78,920 | $60,877 | $60,842 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $82,930 | $64,231 | $60,720 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $69,470 | $57,702 | $58,840 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 22 metros →
About the job: public relations specialists
Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.8% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Public Relations Specialist salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Houston, TX — $68,320
- Dallas, TX — $69,280
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Austin, TX?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area is $69,470 a year, or about $33.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,790 and $86,090.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Austin, TX?
On the median $69,470 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $57,702 a year ($4,809 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 1.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,840 would in a typical U.S. city. Austin, TX ranks #8 of 22 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Austin, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Austin, TX is $1,562 a month ($1,852 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.