Database Administrators vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Database Administrators professionals earn $66,200 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 94.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Database Administrators earns $209,990 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Database Administrators$81,630 – $209,990
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$209,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Database Administrators | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $81,630 | $40,750 | +$40,880 |
| 25th Percentile | $107,900 | $51,970 | +$55,930 |
| Median (50th) | $135,980 | $69,780 | +$66,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,480 | $95,940 | +$73,540 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,990 | $129,480 | +$80,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $142,620 | $80,310 | +$62,310 |
Employment Numbers
Database Administrators
64,770
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Database Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $188,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $170,700 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $166,210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $162,310 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,880 |
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: Database Administrators or Public Relations Specialists?
Database Administrators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $66,200 (94.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Database Administrators?
Database Administrators salaries range from $81,630 (10th percentile) to $209,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $135,980.
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 Database Administrators and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 64,770 Database Administrators positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Database Administrators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Database Administrators has a median salary of $135,980 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