Human Resources Managers vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $70,250 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 100.7% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $40,750 | +$43,040 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $51,970 | +$53,620 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $69,780 | +$70,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $95,940 | +$94,020 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $129,480 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $80,310 | +$80,170 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
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: Human Resources Managers or Public Relations Specialists?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $70,250 (100.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
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 Human Resources Managers and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 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