Mid-level Public Relations Specialist salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level II in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Naperville, Des Plaines, Algonquin, Melrose Park, Tinley Park.
Also listed as: Public Relations Specialists
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $59,530 |
| 25th | $60,000 |
| 50th (median) | $61,402 |
| 75th | $70,000 |
| 90th | $73,000 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median mid-level Public Relations Specialist salary of $61,402 is worth about $59,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Public Relations Specialists in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $77,050 in May 2025 (4,920 employed). The H-1B median here is $61,402, 20% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Chicago | too few | 3 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $44,949 | 11 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $61,402 | 15 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $44,949 | $44,949 | 11 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $61,402 | $61,402 | 15 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.