Public Relations Specialist Salary in Durham, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $76,970 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,416 take-home, or $5,035 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,103
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,772
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,116
- North Carolina income tax$2,562
- Take-home pay$60,416
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,040 | $23.10 | $39,372 | $3,281 |
| 25th percentile | $61,980 | $29.80 | $50,017 | $4,168 |
| Median (50th) | $76,970 | $37.00 | $60,416 | $5,035 |
| 75th percentile | $98,720 | $47.46 | $74,849 | $6,237 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,140 | $64.49 | $98,107 | $8,176 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,970 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $60,416 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,919 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.7× 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
Durham, NC ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | Durham, NC | $76,970 | $60,416 | $61,919 |
*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 North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $75,190
- Raleigh, NC — $68,790
- Greensboro, NC — $62,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Durham, NC?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $76,970 a year, or about $37.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,980 and $98,720.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $76,970 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $60,416 a year ($5,035 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,562 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,919 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #10 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.