Public Relations Specialist Salary in Madison, WI
Public Relations Specialists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $73,510 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,029 take-home, or $4,836 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,342
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,558
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,066
- Wisconsin income tax$2,516
- Take-home pay$58,029
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,440 | $23.77 | $40,511 | $3,376 |
| 25th percentile | $62,610 | $30.10 | $50,513 | $4,209 |
| Median (50th) | $73,510 | $35.34 | $58,029 | $4,836 |
| 75th percentile | $85,660 | $41.18 | $65,932 | $5,494 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,620 | $52.22 | $80,868 | $6,739 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,510 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $58,029 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,647 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 1.9× 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
Madison, WI ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Madison, WI | $73,510 | $58,029 | $59,647 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $65,520
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Madison, WI?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $73,510 a year, or about $35.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,610 and $85,660.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $73,510 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $58,029 a year ($4,836 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,516 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,647 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #23 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Producer and Director — $68,350
- Graphic Designer — $63,970
- Coach and Scout — $42,750