US
Atlanta, GA
Georgia salary market
$138K
Avg / Year
Near national
vs National
1,080
Employment
$11.5K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Public Relations Manager Salary in Atlanta, GA (2026)

The Public Relations Manager salary in Atlanta, GA for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Atlanta, GA market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Atlanta, GA city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$138K
per year
Entry Level
$89.7K
starting range
Senior Level
$187K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$141K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$11.5K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$65
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Public Relations Manager Salary Overview in Atlanta, GA

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Public Relations Manager pay in Atlanta, GA at about $138,389 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $87,970.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about N/A.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Sandy Springs, and Roswell.

If you’re comparing Public Relations Manager salaries in Atlanta, GA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Atlanta, GA vs. U.S. National Average

Atlanta, GA pays near national for Public Relations Manager roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$139K
all U.S. markets combined
-0%
Atlanta, GA Premium
Atlanta, GA City Average
$138K
Public Relations Manager
MarketProjected Salaryvs Atlanta, GAMarket Maturity
Atlanta, GA (this guide)$138,389BaselineLocal market
United States$138,520Near nationalNational baseline
Augusta, GA$115,840-16% vs U.S.Comparable city
Augusta, GA$104,350-25% vs U.S.Comparable city
Athens, GA$113,800-18% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Atlanta, GA pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Public Relations Manager Salary by Experience Level in Atlanta, GA

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Atlanta, GA, this breakdown shows how aPublic Relations Manager can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$111K
$67/hr median equivalent
$89.7K - $138K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$138K
$67/hr median equivalent
$111K - $187K
Senior
6-10 years
$187K
$67/hr median equivalent
$138K - $237K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$237K
$67/hr median equivalent
$187K - $289K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Public Relations Manager0-2 years$110,713$89,674.0 - $138,389-20% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Public Relations Manager3-5 years$138,389$110,713 - $186,513Near national
Senior Public Relations Manager6-10 years$186,513$138,389 - $236,872+35% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Public Relations Manager10+ years$236,872$186,513 - $288,984+71% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Atlanta, GA

Nearby metro areas help show how Public Relations Manager pay changes around Atlanta, GA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Atlanta, GA
$138K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga metropolitan area, which includes nearby cities such as Sandy Springs, and Roswell.
This guide
#2
Augusta, GA
$116K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Public Relations Manager salaries around Atlanta, GA.
-16% vs U.S.
#3
Augusta, GA
$104K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Public Relations Manager salaries around Atlanta, GA.
-25% vs U.S.
#4
Athens, GA
$114K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Public Relations Manager salaries around Atlanta, GA.
-18% vs U.S.
#5
Athens, GA
$98.7K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Public Relations Manager salaries around Atlanta, GA.
-29% vs U.S.

Public Relations Manager Salary by Industry in Atlanta, GA

Industry premiums in Atlanta, GA usually come from employers that place the Public Relations Manager role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$201,760$118,320 - N/AStronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$172,810$103,240 - N/AStronger salary
Information$171,350$99,990.0 - N/AStronger salary
Manufacturing$171,150$102,880 - N/ACompetitive
Wholesale Trade$171,100$97,120.0 - N/ACompetitive
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$168,400$93,840.0 - N/ACompetitive
Finance and Insurance$163,840$97,340.0 - N/ACompetitive
Utilities$154,140$99,390.0 - $236,640Competitive

Entry-Level Public Relations Manager Salary in Atlanta, GA

Entry-level Public Relations Manager jobs in Atlanta, GA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Public Relations Manager salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles in Atlanta, GA is about $110,713.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Public Relations Manager Pay in Atlanta, GA

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Public Relations Manager candidates in Atlanta, GA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$138,389
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$141,157
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$135,621Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$141,157Metro dependentAtlanta, GA employersMedium
Onsite$138,389Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Atlanta, GA

A salary in Atlanta, GA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.8K
$2.5K
$3.2K
Transport / commute
$403.6
$461.3
$519.0
Food and groceries
$864.9
$922.6
$1.0K
Utilities and internet
$403.6
$461.3
$519.0
Estimated remainder
$3.9K
$6.0K
$7.4K
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Top Employers Hiring Public Relations Managers in Atlanta, GA

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Public Relations Manager pay tends to be strongest in Atlanta, GA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction employers
$202K
Industry benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$173K
Industry benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Information employers
$171K
Industry benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Manufacturing employers
$171K
Industry benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Wholesale Trade employers
$171K
Industry benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$168K
Industry benchmark for Public Relations Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Atlanta, GA Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherAtlanta, GA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Public Relations Manager work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Atlanta, GA
This guide
$138K
Baseline
Augusta, GA
Nearby U.S. market
$116K
-16% vs U.S.
Augusta, GA
Nearby U.S. market
$104K
-25% vs U.S.
Athens, GA
Nearby U.S. market
$114K
-18% vs U.S.
Athens, GA
Nearby U.S. market
$98.7K
-29% vs U.S.
Augusta, GA
Nearby U.S. market
$98.2K
-29% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Atlanta, GA

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$80.3K - $108K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$99.7K - $132K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$125K - $155K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$150K - $194K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$177K - $224K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$208K - $284K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 5.0% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 6.6 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment83.2k → 87.3k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor1,080 jobs with a median of $138,389

Factors Affecting Public Relations Manager Salary in Atlanta, GA

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Public Relations Manager Salary in Atlanta, GA

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Public Relations Manager Salary in Atlanta, GA: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Public Relations Manager" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Public Relations Manager in Atlanta, GAs salary?
The latest national baseline for Public Relations Managers is about $138,500 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Public Relations Manager in Atlanta, GAs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Public Relations Managers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $78,900 per year nationally.
How much can senior Public Relations Manager in Atlanta, GAs professionals earn?
Senior Public Relations Managers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $198,000 per year nationally.
Does location affect Public Relations Manager in Atlanta, GAs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Public Relations Manager in Atlanta, GAs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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