Public Relations Specialist Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Public Relations Specialists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $65,520 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,723 take-home, or $4,394 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,682
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,062
- Medicare (1.45%)$950
- Wisconsin income tax$2,102
- Take-home pay$52,723
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,160 | $22.19 | $38,020 | $3,168 |
| 25th percentile | $57,500 | $27.64 | $46,632 | $3,886 |
| Median (50th) | $65,520 | $31.50 | $52,723 | $4,394 |
| 75th percentile | $85,040 | $40.88 | $65,529 | $5,461 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,860 | $53.78 | $82,975 | $6,915 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,520 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $52,723 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,389 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 Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #58 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 |
| 58 | Milwaukee, WI | $65,520 | $52,723 | $54,389 |
*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
- Madison, WI — $73,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $65,520 a year, or about $31.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,500 and $85,040.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $65,520 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $52,723 a year ($4,394 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,102 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,389 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #58 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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