Public Relations Specialist Salary in Lexington, KY
Public Relations Specialists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $62,380 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,237 take-home, or $4,186 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,306
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,868
- Medicare (1.45%)$905
- Kentucky income tax$2,066
- Take-home pay$50,237
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,060 | $19.74 | $33,852 | $2,821 |
| 25th percentile | $53,790 | $25.86 | $43,635 | $3,636 |
| Median (50th) | $62,380 | $29.99 | $50,237 | $4,186 |
| 75th percentile | $78,850 | $37.91 | $61,659 | $5,138 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,820 | $51.84 | $81,025 | $6,752 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,380 buys in Lexington, KY
Prices in Lexington, KY are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $50,237 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,082 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 Lexington, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #62 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 |
| 62 | Lexington, KY | $62,380 | $50,237 | $54,082 |
*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 Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $61,640
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Lexington, KY?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $62,380 a year, or about $29.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,790 and $78,850.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $62,380 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $50,237 a year ($4,186 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,066 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,082 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #62 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Lexington, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lexington, KY is $1,079 a month ($1,272 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Coach and Scout — $39,210