Public Relations Specialist Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Public Relations Specialists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median $55,910 a year — 25% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,387 take-home, or $3,782 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Pittsburgh, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,529
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,466
- Medicare (1.45%)$811
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,716
- Take-home pay$45,387
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Pittsburgh, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,291 | $2,191 |
| 25th percentile | $41,470 | $19.94 | $34,228 | $2,852 |
| Median (50th) | $55,910 | $26.88 | $45,387 | $3,782 |
| 75th percentile | $71,580 | $34.41 | $56,989 | $4,749 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,880 | $46.10 | $73,338 | $6,112 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,910 buys in Pittsburgh, PA
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA are 5.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $45,387 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,942 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 Pittsburgh, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.97).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Pittsburgh, PA ranks #85 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 |
| 85 | Pittsburgh, PA | $55,910 | $45,387 | $47,942 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Harrisburg, PA — $70,510
- Philadelphia, PA — $64,550
- Allentown, PA — $52,500
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $55,910 a year, or about $26.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $41,470 and $71,580.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA?
On the median $55,910 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $45,387 a year ($3,782 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,716 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 25% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 5.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,942 would in a typical U.S. city. Pittsburgh, PA ranks #85 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,058 a month ($1,281 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 Pittsburgh, PA
- Producer and Director — $65,640
- Graphic Designer — $57,830
- Audio and Video Technician — $50,500
- Coach and Scout — $47,050
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,750