Public Relations Specialists vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn $35,200 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 101.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Public Relations Specialists earns $129,480 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Public Relations Specialists | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $40,750 | $25,600 | +$15,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,970 | $29,140 | +$22,830 |
| Median (50th) | $69,780 | $34,580 | +$35,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,940 | $37,850 | +$58,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,480 | $47,930 | +$81,550 |
| Mean (Average) | $80,310 | $37,150 | +$43,160 |
Employment Numbers
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Public Relations Specialists or Retail Salespersons?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $35,200 (101.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Public Relations Specialists and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Public Relations Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Public Relations Specialists has a median salary of $69,780 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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