Accountants and Auditors vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $11,900 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 17.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $40,750 | +$12,030 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $51,970 | +$12,690 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $69,780 | +$11,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $95,940 | +$10,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $129,480 | +$11,940 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $80,310 | +$13,210 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
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: Accountants and Auditors or Public Relations Specialists?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,900 (17.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
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 Accountants and Auditors and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 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