Public Relations Specialist Salary in Charlotte, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $75,190 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,235 take-home, or $4,936 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,712
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,662
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,090
- North Carolina income tax$2,491
- Take-home pay$59,235
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,920 | $21.12 | $36,226 | $3,019 |
| 25th percentile | $55,170 | $26.52 | $44,817 | $3,735 |
| Median (50th) | $75,190 | $36.15 | $59,235 | $4,936 |
| 75th percentile | $102,200 | $49.13 | $77,159 | $6,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,990 | $72.11 | $108,308 | $9,026 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,190 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $59,235 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,849 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Public Relations Specialist jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #5 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Charlotte, NC?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $75,190 a year, or about $36.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,170 and $102,200.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $75,190 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $59,235 a year ($4,936 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,491 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,849 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #5 of 22 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.