SalaryByCity

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Public Relations Specialists

$69,780

Median annual salary

280,590 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals earn $7,170 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 10.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $144,610 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$144,610

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsPublic Relations SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$42,070$40,750+$1,320
25th Percentile$56,220$51,970+$4,250
Median (50th)$76,950$69,780+$7,170
75th Percentile$104,870$95,940+$8,930
90th Percentile$144,610$129,480+$15,130
Mean (Average)$86,480$80,310+$6,170

Employment Numbers

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

employed nationwide

Public Relations Specialists

280,590

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Best Cities for Public Relations Specialists

CityMedian
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: Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists or Public Relations Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,170 (10.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists has a median salary of $76,950 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