Financial Analysts vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $31,570 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 45.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Financial Analysts earns $180,550 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Financial Analysts | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,410 | $40,750 | +$21,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,300 | $51,970 | +$26,330 |
| Median (50th) | $101,350 | $69,780 | +$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,050 | $95,940 | +$36,110 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,550 | $129,480 | +$51,070 |
| Mean (Average) | $116,490 | $80,310 | +$36,180 |
Employment Numbers
Financial Analysts
340,580
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
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: Financial Analysts or Public Relations Specialists?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,570 (45.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
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 Financial Analysts and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 340,580 Financial Analysts positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Financial Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Financial Analysts has a median salary of $101,350 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