Public Relations Manager Salary in Washington, DC
Public Relations Managers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $195,190 a year — 33% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $131,718 take-home, or $10,977 a month.
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- Federal income tax$35,580
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,830
- District of Columbia income tax$13,623
- Take-home pay$131,718
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Public Relations Manager pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $117,350 | $56.42 | $84,379 | $7,032 |
| 25th percentile | $141,530 | $68.04 | $98,940 | $8,245 |
| Median (50th) | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
| 75th percentile | $292,740+ | $140.74 | $188,514 | $15,710 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $340,440+ | $163.67 | $213,986 | $17,832 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $195,190 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations manager's $131,718 take-home pay has the buying power of $120,971 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 6.3× 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
Washington, DC ranks #2 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 Washington, DC?
The median public relations manager salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $195,190 a year, or about $93.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $141,530 and $239,200+.
What is a public relations manager’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $195,190 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $131,718 a year ($10,977 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $13,623 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a public relations manager?
Pay here is 33% above the national median of $146,910. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $120,971 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 23 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations manager afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median public relations manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $195,190
- Financial Manager — $185,270
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $185,220
- Marketing Manager — $181,260
- Human Resources Manager — $177,960
- Sales Manager — $175,820
- Purchasing Manager — $172,150
- Compensation and Benefits Manager — $171,950
- Managers, All Other — $170,980
- Natural Sciences Manager — $169,060
- General and Operations Manager — $156,460
- Training and Development Manager — $143,640