Medical Assistants vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn $25,580 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 57.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Medical Assistants earns $57,830 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$35,020$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Medical Assistants | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $35,020 | $40,750 | $-5,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,610 | $51,970 | $-14,360 |
| Median (50th) | $44,200 | $69,780 | $-25,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,160 | $95,940 | $-47,780 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,830 | $129,480 | $-71,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $44,720 | $80,310 | $-35,590 |
Employment Numbers
Medical Assistants
793,460
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Medical Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,570 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $59,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,850 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,040 |
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: Medical Assistants or Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,580 (57.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
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 Medical Assistants and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 793,460 Medical Assistants positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Medical Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Medical Assistants has a median salary of $44,200 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