Public Relations Specialist Salary in Rochester, NY
Public Relations Specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $71,740 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,022 take-home, or $4,669 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,953
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,448
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,040
- New York income tax$3,277
- Take-home pay$56,022
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,640 | $20.98 | $35,485 | $2,957 |
| 25th percentile | $59,140 | $28.43 | $47,102 | $3,925 |
| Median (50th) | $71,740 | $34.49 | $56,022 | $4,669 |
| 75th percentile | $87,310 | $41.98 | $66,135 | $5,511 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,280 | $55.42 | $84,168 | $7,014 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $71,740 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $56,022 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,734 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #31 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 |
| 31 | Rochester, NY | $71,740 | $56,022 | $57,734 |
*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 New York
- New York, NY — $84,130
- Buffalo, NY — $69,380
- Albany, NY — $68,240
- Syracuse, NY — $64,110
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $72,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Rochester, NY?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $71,740 a year, or about $34.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,140 and $87,310.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $71,740 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $56,022 a year ($4,669 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,277 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,734 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #31 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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