Public Relations Manager Salary in Boston, MA
Public Relations Managers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $176,390 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $123,229 take-home, or $10,269 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations manager salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$31,068
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,936
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,558
- Massachusetts income tax$8,600
- Take-home pay$123,229
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Public Relations Manager pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,170 | $47.20 | $73,204 | $6,100 |
| 25th percentile | $122,870 | $59.07 | $89,324 | $7,444 |
| Median (50th) | $176,390 | $84.80 | $123,229 | $10,269 |
| 75th percentile | $218,830 | $105.21 | $151,997 | $12,666 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $320,050+ | $153.87 | $211,956 | $17,663 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $176,390 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations manager's $123,229 take-home pay has the buying power of $113,821 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.4× the national concentration of public relations manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for public relations managers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #4 of 23 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,510 | $140,475 | $127,215 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $192,360 | $132,922 | $118,087 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $176,390 | $123,229 | $113,821 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $166,590 | $125,130 | $112,595 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $192,720 | $127,301 | $110,110 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $130,770 | $100,647 | $102,632 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $130,530 | $100,483 | $101,880 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 23 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations manager make in Boston, MA?
The median public relations manager salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $176,390 a year, or about $84.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $122,870 and $218,830.
What is a public relations manager’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $176,390 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $123,229 a year ($10,269 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,600 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a public relations manager?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $146,910. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $113,821 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #4 of 23 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations manager afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median public relations manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Natural Sciences Manager — $239,200+
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $214,960
- Marketing Manager — $213,910
- Financial Manager — $209,780
- Sales Manager — $206,610
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $205,130
- Compensation and Benefits Manager — $185,590
- Human Resources Manager — $184,990
- Managers, All Other — $184,250
- Purchasing Manager — $174,640
- Fundraising Manager — $161,500
- Construction Manager — $156,470