The national average salary for a Public Affairs Specialist is $62,185 per year in United States. Filter by location to see a Public Affairs Specialist salaries in your area. Salaries estimates are based on 2255 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Public Affairs Specialist employees.

The highest salary for a Public Affairs Specialist in United States is $97,421 per year.

The lowest salary for a Public Affairs Specialist in United States is $39,694 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Public Affairs Specialist or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Public Affairs Specialist.

Pay for public affairs specialists is comparable to the pay of other public relations specialists including social media mangers and communications coordinators. The job can be demanding, as they must remain connected around the clock and be able to quickly craft messages in response to both global and company-specific emergencies. Candidates with experience working for well-recognized brands can typically expect more opportunities and higher pay. Successful communications coordinators can progress into other roles such as chief communications officer.

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75% of public affairs specialists say they're happy with their salaries. You can potentially earn additional pay of $4,795.76 in this position with profit-sharing and similar benefits. Education, experience, and certifications also contribute to higher public affairs specialist salaries.

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Total compensation for a public affairs specialist ranges from $42,475.23 for entry-level positions to $106,197.12 for those who have worked in the field for some time. You can earn higher than the average of $62,185.16 by working as a public affairs specialist for an advertising and public relations agency. This setting tends to pay more than government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

Learn more about negotiating salaries from thousands of other real professionals

Earning specialty certifications from professional organizations such as the Public Affairs Council can increase your public affairs specialist salary. Examples of credentials that can increase your value to employers include certificates in public affairs management, PAC and grassroots management, and government relationships and lobbying. You can also prepare for a leadership role as a public affairs manager and eventually as a director, both by taking on new responsibilities and possibly by pursuing a master's degree in public affairs, government relations, or a related area. Many public affairs specialists advance to careers in professional lobbying, policy, and administration.

You can negotiate for a higher public affairs specialist salary by using your research skills to your advantage. Find out how much others who have similar roles earn in your city. This can help you come up with a target salary that you can adjust based on your years of relevant experience and special certifications. When you counter an offer with a request for a higher salary, justify the request with information about how you've added value for your employers in other public affairs specialist positions. You should also emphasize how well your skills align with the posted job duties.