Public Relations Specialist Salary in Providence, RI
Public Relations Specialists in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $77,210 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,869 take-home, or $5,072 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,156
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,787
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,120
- Rhode Island income tax$2,279
- Take-home pay$60,869
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,200 | $22.69 | $38,952 | $3,246 |
| 25th percentile | $62,020 | $29.82 | $50,304 | $4,192 |
| Median (50th) | $77,210 | $37.12 | $60,869 | $5,072 |
| 75th percentile | $99,330 | $47.75 | $75,592 | $6,299 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,630 | $61.84 | $94,677 | $7,890 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,210 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $60,869 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,808 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 Providence, RI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Providence, RI | $77,210 | $60,869 | $59,808 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 89 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Providence, RI?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $77,210 a year, or about $37.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,020 and $99,330.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $77,210 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $60,869 a year ($5,072 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,279 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,808 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #22 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 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 Providence, RI
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- Graphic Designer — $70,450
- Interior Designer — $58,100
- Coach and Scout — $52,420