Salary distribution
Where Illinois public relations specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $50,170 and $86,910, with a median of $63,590.
Public Relations Specialists in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 25 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $61,402. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 9 | $44,949 |
| Level II — qualified | 12 | $63,752 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $145,600 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Public Relations Specialists in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago | Research Communications Specialist | 4 | $70,000 |
| Justice For All | Public Relations Specialist | 2 | $63,752 |
| IL Fantuan Ltd | Brand Strategist | 2 | $44,949 |
| Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, Inc.- Nonprofit Educational Entity | Associate Executive Director | 1 | $60,000 |
| The Field Museum of Natural History | Science Communicator | 1 | $60,970 |
| Horse Pilates LLC | Communications Specialist | 1 | $63,752 |
| Nova Enterprises, Inc. | External Communications Analyst | 1 | $44,949 |
| ATLANTIC UNION INC | Public Relations Specialist | 1 | $62,000 |
| Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America | Halal Program Coordinator | 1 | $61,402 |
| MEHER USA Inc. | Public Relations Specialist | 1 | $51,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Associate Executive Director at Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, Inc.- Nonprofit Educational Entity$60,000ChicagoDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25347-480557
- Public Relations Specialist at Justice For All$63,752ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Aug 28, 2025I-203-25233-259295
- Science Communicator at The Field Museum of Natural History$60,970ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-222972
- Communications Specialist at Horse Pilates LLC$63,752AlgonquinWage Level IIDecided Jul 1, 2025I-200-25176-125945
- External Communications Analyst at Nova Enterprises, Inc.$44,949ChicagoWage Level IDecided Jun 24, 2025I-200-25167-098207
- Public Relations Specialist at ATLANTIC UNION INC$62,000NapervilleWage Level IIDecided Jun 23, 2025I-200-25164-091837
- Halal Program Coordinator at Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America$61,402Des PlainesWage Level IIDecided Jun 20, 2025I-200-25163-087322
- Public Relations Specialist at MEHER USA Inc.$51,000Rolling MeadowsWage Level IDecided Jun 18, 2025I-203-25162-082584
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Public Relations Specialists pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Public Relations Specialists in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 22 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $64,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | The University of Chicago | 6 | $64,500 |
| Transportation and logistics | IL Fantuan Ltd | 4 | $44,949 |
| Professional services | Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America | 4 | $60,701 |
| Media and entertainment | Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, Inc.- Nonprofit Educational Entity | 2 | $60,485 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Justice For All | 2 | $63,752 |
| Technology and software | Reply Inc | 2 | $68,203 |
| Real estate | MEHER USA Inc. | 1 | $51,000 |
| Finance and insurance | Marex Services, Inc. | 1 | $75,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Communications and Media
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source.
- 02
Post and update content on the company's Web site and social media outlets.
- 03
Plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public or stockholder perceptions of an organization's accomplishments, agenda, or environmental responsibility.
- 04
Write press releases or other media communications to promote clients.
- 05
Establish or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, or public interest groups.
- 06
Confer with other managers to identify trends or key group interests or concerns or to provide advice on business decisions.
- 07
Coach client representatives in effective communication with the public or with employees.
- 08
Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas, products, or services.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for public relations specialists in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$63,910
Compare Public Relations Specialists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Public Relations Specialists in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Public Relations Specialists in Illinois is $63,590.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Public Relations Specialists?
- The Illinois median is -10.0% versus the BLS national figure of $70,692.
- What is the salary range for Public Relations Specialists in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $38,730 and the 90th-percentile at $111,050, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Public Relations Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Public Relations Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.