Public Relations Specialists pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for public relations specialists is $37.04 an hour ($77,050 a year). About 4,920 people work in this job there.
That is 3% higher than the U.S. median ($74,750). It is about the same as the Illinois median ($76,380).
Pay range for public relations specialists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.78 | $49,460 |
| 25% of workers | $29.14 | $60,610 |
| Half of workers (median) | $37.04 | $77,050 |
| 75% of workers | $51.49 | $107,110 |
| 90% of workers | $72.55 | $150,890 |
Public Relations Specialists pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $91,630 | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Peoria | $76,150 | 90 |
| Springfield | $71,110 | 110 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $67,130 | 200 |
| Rockford | $62,500 | 70 |
| Decatur | $59,840 | 30 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for public relations specialists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +1.8% over ten years, little or no change · about 23,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $80,400 |
| Marketing Managers | $165,340 |
| Fundraisers | $72,550 |
| Advertising Sales Agents | $75,590 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 |
| Fundraising Managers | $109,720 |
| Public Relations Managers | $133,210 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.