Data Scientists vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $42,810 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 61.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $40,750 | +$22,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $51,970 | +$30,660 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $69,780 | +$42,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $95,940 | +$59,870 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $129,480 | +$64,930 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $80,310 | +$44,280 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Public Relations Specialists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,810 (61.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Data Scientists and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS