Public Relations Specialist Salary in Boulder, CO
Public Relations Specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $81,180 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,077 take-home, or $5,256 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,030
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,033
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,177
- Colorado income tax$2,864
- Take-home pay$63,077
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,430 | $22.80 | $38,911 | $3,243 |
| 25th percentile | $62,150 | $29.88 | $50,091 | $4,174 |
| Median (50th) | $81,180 | $39.03 | $63,077 | $5,256 |
| 75th percentile | $106,160 | $51.04 | $79,551 | $6,629 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,610 | $63.75 | $96,778 | $8,065 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,180 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $63,077 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,958 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 2.0× 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
Boulder, CO ranks #19 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 |
| 19 | Boulder, CO | $81,180 | $63,077 | $59,958 |
*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 Colorado
- Denver, CO — $82,930
- Colorado Springs, CO — $75,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Boulder, CO?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $81,180 a year, or about $39.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,150 and $106,160.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $81,180 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $63,077 a year ($5,256 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,864 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,958 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #19 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.