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
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 #26 of 89 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $117,620 | $83,338 | $75,471 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $96,000 | $76,366 | $68,716 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $101,680 | $74,688 | $68,594 |
| 4 | Olympia, WA | $84,470 | $68,255 | $65,838 |
| 5 | Hartford, CT | $87,830 | $67,363 | $65,562 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $102,520 | $74,315 | $64,279 |
| 7 | Trenton, NJ | $84,990 | $65,397 | $63,381 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $89,640 | $66,619 | $62,454 |
| 26 | 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 89 metros →
Public Relations Specialist salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Houston, TX — $68,320
- San Antonio, TX — $64,690
- Dallas, TX — $69,280
- McAllen, TX — $48,980
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 #26 of 89 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%.
Related jobs in Austin, TX
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- Interior Designer — $78,390
- Producer and Director — $78,050
- Graphic Designer — $65,060
- Interpreter and Translator — $62,900
- Audio and Video Technician — $56,210
- Editor — $52,600
- Photographer — $38,970
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $38,670
- Coach and Scout — $37,190