Average Public Relations Specialists Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL earn an average annual salary of $66,020. This figure is notably below the national average of $80,660, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as industry demand and the cost of doing business, play a significant role in compensation within this specific metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $66,020 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 22.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $85,760.
- Outlook: With a total local workforce of 200 Public Relations Specialists, Champaign-Urbana presents a stable, albeit not exceptionally large, job market for these professionals. The Location Quotient of 1.06 indicates a slightly higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting a steady demand that aligns with the general needs of businesses in the region.
Salary Overview
The average Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL earns-18.2%below the national average.
$31.7
$1,270
$5,502
Public Relations Specialists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Champaign-Urbana is not provided, it's reasonable to assume that Public Relations Specialist salaries in the area have experienced gradual growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. This growth is typically driven by inflation, increasing demand for strategic communication, and the evolving media landscape.
Public Relations Specialists Salary Distribution in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Salary progression for Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana, as elsewhere, is strongly tied to experience. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals with a proven track record and advanced skills can expect to earn significantly more. The percentile gaps in salary distribution clearly signify the career advancement opportunities available.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $46,410 | $22.3 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $49,515 | $23.8 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $63,900 | $30.7 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $82,525 | $39.7 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $85,760 | $41.2 |
Detailed Public Relations Specialists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$66,020
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$66,020
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $66,020 for Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of the salary is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced lifestyle without the premium often associated with higher-cost-of-living areas.
Job Market Context
200
Total Jobs
1.926
Per 1K Jobs
1.06
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.06, Champaign-Urbana, IL has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Public Relations Specialists roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.06 for Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana indicates a market that is slightly more concentrated than the national average. This suggests a healthy, stable demand for these professionals, where the number of jobs is proportionally a bit higher than the national benchmark, making it a moderately competitive but accessible market for talent.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Public Relations Specialists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area Public Relations Specialists Salary | $53,420↓ 19% | 41 mi |
| East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area Public Relations Specialists Salary | $59,090↓ 10% | 41 mi |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area Public Relations Specialists Salary | $53,410↓ 19% | 41 mi |
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area Public Relations Specialists Salary | $58,940↓ 11% | 41 mi |
Comparing salaries near Champaign-Urbana, IL
Hiring Public Relations Specialistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Public Relations Specialists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median annual salary for a Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL is $66,020. This typically ranges from $46,410 for entry-level positions to $85,760 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Champaign-Urbana, IL is 18.2% lower than the national median of $80,660.
Is Champaign-Urbana, IL a lucrative place for Public Relations Specialists?
No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.While the average salary of $66,020 is stable, it falls short of the national average of $80,660. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the salary's purchasing power is comparable.
Is Champaign-Urbana, IL a good place to live for Public Relations Specialists?
The Cost of Living Index in Champaign-Urbana, IL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Some top paying nearby cities include West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area ($53,420) and East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Champaign-Urbana PR Specialist salary compare to the national average?
The average salary of $66,020 in Champaign-Urbana is approximately 18% lower than the national average of $80,660.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) of 1.06?
An LQ of 1.06 means that Public Relations Specialists are slightly more concentrated in Champaign-Urbana than the national average, indicating a stable presence and demand for the role in the local job market.
Does the cost of living affect the perceived value of a PR Specialist's salary in Champaign-Urbana?
No, the cost of living in Champaign-Urbana is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the $66,020 salary offers the same purchasing power as the national average salary.
What is the total number of Public Relations Specialists in Champaign-Urbana?
There are approximately 200 Public Relations Specialists employed in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 200 employees in the Champaign-Urbana, IL area with a job density of 1.926 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Public Relations Specialists Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- All Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Management Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Production Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
- Browse All Jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Public Relations Specialists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL