Public Relations Specialist Salary in Memphis, TN
Public Relations Specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median $61,000 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,194 take-home, or $4,266 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Memphis, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,140
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,782
- Medicare (1.45%)$885
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,194
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Memphis, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,980 | $18.26 | $32,697 | $2,725 |
| 25th percentile | $48,140 | $23.14 | $40,860 | $3,405 |
| Median (50th) | $61,000 | $29.33 | $51,194 | $4,266 |
| 75th percentile | $82,820 | $39.82 | $67,094 | $5,591 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,380 | $49.70 | $81,558 | $6,796 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,000 buys in Memphis, TN
Prices in Memphis, TN are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 20% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $51,194 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,537 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 less concentrated in Memphis, TN than nationally (location quotient 0.60), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Memphis, TN ranks #47 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 |
| 47 | Memphis, TN | $61,000 | $51,194 | $55,537 |
*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 Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $62,870
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Memphis, TN?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $61,000 a year, or about $29.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,140 and $82,820.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Memphis, TN?
On the median $61,000 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $51,194 a year ($4,266 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,537 would in a typical U.S. city. Memphis, TN ranks #47 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Memphis, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN is $1,137 a month ($1,263 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN
- Graphic Designer — $59,000
- Coach and Scout — $37,440
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $31,160