Media & Communications Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Public Relations Specialist Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median public relations specialist salary in Durham, NC is $64,068 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$64,068
vs State Avg
+$2,023
vs National
$-3,372
Cost of Living
95%

Public Relations Specialist Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median public relations specialist salary of $64,068, which is $2,023 above the North Carolina state average of $62,045. Compared to the national median of $67,440, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for public relations specialists in Durham spans from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $114,000 at the 90th percentile — a $77,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $39,900, while senior public relations specialists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $106,400. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Public Relations Specialist Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level public relations specialist earns around $39,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $106,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$39,900
$-2,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$66,500
$-3,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$106,400
$-5,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $36,100
25th Percentile $47,500
Median (50th) $64,068
75th Percentile $86,450
90th Percentile $114,000

Public Relations Specialist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$66,091
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$66,091
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$59,347
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$57,998
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Public Relations Specialist in Durham

Education

Most public relations specialist positions require a bachelor's degree. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Media RelationsPress ReleasesCrisis CommunicationsSocial MediaEvent PlanningBrand Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, public relations specialist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Public Relations Specialist Jobs in Durham

Browse open public relations specialist positions in Durham, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Public Relations Specialist Salary in Durham

How much does a Public Relations Specialist make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median public relations specialist salary in Durham, North Carolina is $64,068 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $67,440. Salaries range from $36,100 (10th percentile) to $114,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Public Relations Specialist make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $64,068, a public relations specialist in Durham earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for public relations specialist pay? ▼
Durham's median public relations specialist salary of $64,068 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $62,045. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a public relations specialist salary of $64,068 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a public relations specialist in Durham? ▼
Most public relations specialist positions in Durham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Media Relations, Press Releases, Crisis Communications, Social Media. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.