Public Relations Specialist Salary in Tampa, FL
Public Relations Specialists in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $64,690 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,158 take-home, or $4,513 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median public relations specialist salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,583
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,011
- Medicare (1.45%)$938
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$54,158
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Public Relations Specialist pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,750 | $19.11 | $34,119 | $2,843 |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 | $42,411 | $3,534 |
| Median (50th) | $64,690 | $31.10 | $54,158 | $4,513 |
| 75th percentile | $86,120 | $41.40 | $69,415 | $5,785 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,680 | $55.62 | $90,211 | $7,518 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $64,690 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median public relations specialist's $54,158 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,681 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 Tampa, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for public relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #66 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 |
| 66 | Tampa, FL | $64,690 | $54,158 | $53,681 |
*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 Florida
- Orlando, FL — $67,370
- Jacksonville, FL — $63,620
- Tallahassee, FL — $59,590
- North Port, FL — $60,870
- Miami, FL — $64,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Tampa, FL?
The median public relations specialist salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $64,690 a year, or about $31.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,070 and $86,120.
What is a public relations specialist’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $64,690 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $54,158 a year ($4,513 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a public relations specialist?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $74,750. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,681 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #66 of 89 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a public relations specialist afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median public relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- Producer and Director — $74,810
- Editor — $73,330
- Graphic Designer — $62,900
- Interior Designer — $61,850
- Audio and Video Technician — $53,970
- Interpreter and Translator — $49,470
- Photographer — $44,530
- Coach and Scout — $43,600
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $38,350