Public Relations Specialist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Public Relations Specialists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $68,790 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,988 take-home, or $4,582 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,304
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,265
- Medicare (1.45%)$997
- North Carolina income tax$2,236
- Take-home pay$54,988
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,540 | $21.41 | $36,699 | $3,058 |
| 25th percentile | $56,730 | $27.27 | $46,008 | $3,834 |
| Median (50th) | $68,790 | $33.07 | $54,988 | $4,582 |
| 75th percentile | $89,670 | $43.11 | $68,844 | $5,737 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,130 | $71.70 | $107,755 | $8,980 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $68,790 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $54,988 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,020 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.7× the national concentration of public relations specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #43 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 |
| 43 | Raleigh, NC | $68,790 | $54,988 | $56,020 |
*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 North Carolina
- Durham, NC — $76,970
- Charlotte, NC — $75,190
- Greensboro, NC — $62,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $68,790 a year, or about $33.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,730 and $89,670.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $68,790 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $54,988 a year ($4,582 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,236 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,020 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #43 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
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- Producer and Director — $67,460
- Interior Designer — $64,480
- Graphic Designer — $61,700
- Coach and Scout — $42,180
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $37,150