Online Public Relations Degree in Virginia: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Virginia employs about 9,990 public relations specialists (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through target employers on the experience they weight. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare public relations programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Virginia
Public relations is not licensed. Voluntary accreditation marks exist for experienced practitioners and employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them; early-career hiring runs on writing samples, internships and media placements.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with target employers on the experience they weight that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Public Relations Specialists Earn in Virginia
Public Relations Specialists in Virginia earn a median $80,380 per year, above the national median of $74,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Public Relations Pay and Employment in Virginia at a Glance
| Metric | Virginia | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $80,380 | $74,750 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $46,840 | $44,110 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $60,610 | $56,260 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $111,600 | $100,370 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $162,050 | $135,150 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 9,990 | 283,380 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.33 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 4.8% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Virginia Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Virginia median of $80,380 sits above the national median of $74,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.33 puts Virginia well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Virginia
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $76,580 | 380 |
| Richmond | $75,730 | 1,760 |
| Virginia Beach | $73,890 | 1,140 |
| Winchester | $67,300 | 80 |
| Blacksburg | $65,170 | 190 |
| Roanoke | $62,130 | 250 |
| Lynchburg | $60,990 | 170 |
| Staunton | $59,900 | 60 |
| Harrisonburg | $59,580 | 100 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. PR employment tracks organizational headquarters - corporate, agency, government and institutional - and regulated industries support specialist roles well outside the biggest media markets.
Public Relations Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), public relations specialists wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 22,810 | $101,680 | $116,930 | $61,520 | $195,990 |
| Richmond | 1,760 | $75,730 | $82,880 | $46,870 | $128,120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 1,140 | $73,890 | $77,570 | $43,830 | $117,640 |
| Charlottesville | 380 | $76,580 | $83,880 | $45,380 | $128,700 |
| Roanoke | 250 | $62,130 | $72,080 | $40,600 | $116,810 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 190 | $65,170 | $65,870 | $44,380 | $83,970 |
| Lynchburg | 170 | $60,990 | $67,220 | $40,560 | $105,570 |
| Harrisonburg | 100 | $59,580 | $69,880 | $39,790 | $129,740 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 90 | $59,960 | $64,190 | $31,570 | $97,320 |
| Winchester | 80 | $67,300 | $73,580 | $39,180 | $111,500 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 60 | $59,900 | $67,660 | $39,290 | $115,200 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Virginia Metro Areas With Published Data
Blacksburg * Charlottesville * Harrisonburg * Lynchburg * Richmond * Roanoke * Virginia Beach
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do public relations specialists make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for public relations specialists in Virginia is $80,380, above the national median of $74,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $60,610 at the 25th percentile to $111,600 at the 75th.
How many public relations specialists work in Virginia?
Virginia holds about 9,990 public relations specialist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 283,380, and BLS projects about 27,600 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a public relations specialist in Virginia?
Public relations is not licensed. Voluntary accreditation marks exist for experienced practitioners and employers genuinely vary in the weight they give them; early-career hiring runs on writing samples, internships and media placements. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with target employers on the experience they weight before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a public relations bachelor's or master's online while working in Virginia?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies target employers on the experience they weight.
What is the highest-paying area of Virginia for public relations specialists?
Among Virginia metro areas with published data, Charlottesville reports the highest median at $76,580 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Virginia a good state for public relations specialists?
On pay, the state median of $80,380 sits above the national $74,750 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.33 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Public Relations programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Public Relations Specialists (SOC 27-3031), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.