Public Relations Specialist Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Public Relations Specialists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $70,490 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,866 take-home, or $4,739 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,678
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,370
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,022
- Arizona income tax$1,554
- Take-home pay$56,866
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,430 | $22.32 | $38,535 | $3,211 |
| 25th percentile | $55,560 | $26.71 | $45,642 | $3,804 |
| Median (50th) | $70,490 | $33.89 | $56,866 | $4,739 |
| 75th percentile | $89,990 | $43.26 | $70,097 | $5,841 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,360 | $55.94 | $87,989 | $7,332 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $70,490 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $56,866 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,041 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 Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #54 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 |
| 54 | Phoenix, AZ | $70,490 | $56,866 | $55,041 |
*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 Arizona
- Tucson, AZ — $61,630
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $70,490 a year, or about $33.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,560 and $89,990.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $70,490 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $56,866 a year ($4,739 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,554 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,041 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #54 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Technical Writer — $83,480
- Producer and Director — $72,740
- Editor — $64,970
- Interior Designer — $61,810
- Graphic Designer — $59,090
- Coach and Scout — $58,560
- Interpreter and Translator — $50,070
- Athlete and Sports Competitor — $50,070
- Audio and Video Technician — $47,150
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,100
- Photographer — $36,970