The result is this list of top 10 cities that reveals the exciting variety of opportunities available to upwardly mobile communications professionals. Be careful! Some of these hotspots might make you consider packing your bags and making a change right now. And some may simply reinforce that you made the right choice in where you currently practice PR. Regardless, we think you’ll enjoy the tour …

1. Show Me the Money
10 Best Cities for
Top Paying
PR Jobs

2. Show Me the Money
10 Best Cities for Top Paying
PR Jobs
In our quest to find the top “money meccas” for public relations, we started with the
latest reported data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor to determine top salaries for PR
professionals by key regions. We then considered not only top pay, but also the
concentration of available jobs, based on a variety of online job search resources. And
finally, we added a couple of international surprises just to keep you on your toes—
and to help you keep your options open.
The result is this list of top 10 cities that reveals the exciting variety of opportunities
available to upwardly mobile communications professionals. Be careful! Some of these
hotspots might make you consider packing your bags and making a change right now.
And some may simply reinforce that you made the right choice in where you currently
practice PR. Regardless, we think you’ll enjoy the tour …

3. 1. Washington, D.C.
The Beltway Welcomes PR Pros
The U.S. capital and surrounding areas boast
both the highest concentration of jobs and
the highest salaries for “Public Relations
Specialists.” No surprise, considering the
concentration of PR jobs available in the
political field. A three-fold greater availability
of PR jobs exists here compared to the
national average.
An abundance of PR jobs isn’t the only draw
here—top salaries are, too. The average mean
salary is $81,000, compared to an overall
national average of $46,000. We mentioned
The Beltway in our recent 10 Social Media
Meccas, with good reason. Now you have
two more compelling reasons to give
Washington, D.C. a close look.
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

4. 2. Toronto
Top Quality of Life
Toronto’s winters may be cold, but this is one
hot city when it comes to opportunity and
quality of life. In fact, Toronto is listed #2 in
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Cities of
Opportunity survey. Toronto’s construction
industry is booming, its air quality is high and
it’s renowned for its creative denizens.
PR opportunities also abound in Toronto. One
great example is the multi-office Fleishman-
Hillard, which opened its first Canadian office
in Toronto in 1994 and is one of the leading
integrated strategic communications and
public affairs firms worldwide. (A side note:
“PR” can stand for “permanent resident,” an
employment/immigration category here. Be
sure to use the full words “public relations”
instead of just “PR” to find the most relevant
job listings online.)
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

5. 3. Denver
Take the Lift to Great Pay
The Mile High city delivers not only top
salaries (avg. $62,000), but also one of the
highest concentrations of jobs. How much of a
concentration? The Denver area boasts nearly
three times the national average. If you are
comfortable with such a competitive market,
Denver might be your spot.
The best part is that Denver’s want ads are not
mere fishing expeditions by employers seeking
to churn workers. Colorado has the highest
concentration of “PR Specialists” actually
working, too. We are willing to admit that
we’re also attracted to the recreation available
on some of the most exciting powder slopes in
the world. Can you blame us?
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

6. 4. Austin
Social Media & Live Music Capital
The vibrant environment here is fueled by it
being a state capital with numerous
entrepreneurial startups. Salaries for “PR
Specialists” average near $60,000 in Austin,
well above the national average—thanks in
no small part to real growth in well-paying
social media jobs in the area. But we picked
this music hotspot because we think salary
isn’t everything. We also think you should
have a great time where you work.
Austin is located in central Texas,
surrounded by area lakes and rugged hill
country. Kiplinger listed it as the #1 city to
live in for the next decade. Forbes listed is as
one of the best job markets for finding work.
We like the nightlife and the famous Austin
bats. Be sure to tell Willie Nelson we sent
you when you go visit!
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

7. 5. Boston
Under-30 Crowd Unite!
Boston is ranked as one of the top
metropolitan areas for “PR Specialists.” It is
also home to Allen & Gerritsen, which
AdAge named its “2011 #1 Place to Work.”
A smaller integrated communications,
marketing and branding agency with 150
employees, the firm is recognized for its
“young and fearless” staff.
The agency’s internship program is robust
and illustrates the city’s growing reputation
as a magnet for millennial talent. Also
indicative is the firm’s policy of supporting
employees’ outside interests. As AdAge
reports, for example, the agency and staff
helped an employee raise money to
volunteer in Haiti. In a classic city,
companies like Allen & Gerritsen are
keeping the industry vibrant.
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

8. 6. London
Double Decker Growth
London tops many lists—and for good reason.
A quick glance at PRWeek’s Top 150 PR
Consultancies gives you a hint why the city
makes this list, as well. The average growth
rate of PRWeek’s Top 150 agencies in 2010
was 9.24%, but multiple London-based
agencies have comfortably surpassed this
figure.
London hosts some of the world’s top
agencies like Ogilvy, Weber Shandwick,
Edelman, Burson-Marsteller and Porter
Novelli. Salaries are competitive and London
is frequently listed as a top city to visit—as
well as to live and work in. If you’re looking
for big opportunities in international PR, then
the home of Big Ben might be for you!
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

9. 7. New York City
Just Show Me the Perks!
If you can make it here, you can make it
anywhere. New York is an obvious choice
with its high concentration of PR jobs, top
salaries, big city excitement and multiple
worldwide agency headquarters. If you want
to work for the biggest agencies alongside
social-media savvy millennial colleagues—
then this is as good as it gets.
What isn’t so obvious is that NYC is also
home to some great smaller innovators like
word-of-mouth agency Mr. Youth. As AdAge’s
#7 “2011 Best Place to Work,” Mr. Youth
offers great perks like unlimited time off and
company-paid benefits in an atmosphere of
unbridled team creativity. If perks and fresh
approaches to integrated communications and
marketing matter to you, this is your place.
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

10. 8. San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles
The Golden State’s Four-Way Tie
We tried to pick just one city in California,
but couldn’t. San Jose, Sacramento and San
Francisco all qualify as top-paying metro
areas. And Los Angeles (shown here) offers
the highest concentration of “PR Specialist”
jobs. California is one of the top five regions
in overall pay and there are also numerous
100 Best Company options across the state.
One example is the PR department at Kaiser
Permanente in Oakland. The team’s awards
include: PR News’ “2010 Digital PR Team of
the Year,” “Top Place to Work,” “Best
Editorial/Op-Ed,” “Best Blog” and honorable
mentions in the “Green PR” category. If
you’re seeking well paying PR jobs ranging
from Hollywood publicity gigs to healthcare
communications—then the “Golden State”
is for you.
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

11. 9. Chicago
Winning Big in the Windy City
Chicago hosts a high density of political,
healthcare and financial PR jobs. The top
agency here is Edelman, but what might
surprise you is that the third top agency is
FoodMinds, which is also a PRWeek finalist
for “2011 Small PR Agency of the Year.” As
the firm’s site says: “We create new
opportunities and new situations to help you
create a better story.”
Clearly, the PR story in Chicago is that new
opportunities and new situations abound.
PRSA Chicago is the fourth largest chapter in
the country, with almost 500 members.
These PR pros represent a true cross-section
of industries, with a diverse mix of Fortune
100 corporations, public relations agencies,
associations and non-profit organizations.
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

12. 10. Sofia (Bulgaria)
A Highlight in Emerging Markets
Here’s our big surprise! We see a wealth of
opportunity in the emerging corners of the
world—whether in China, India, Indonesia,
Brazil, Turkey, Russia or Eastern Europe. For
those who yearn for international adventure
and an accommodating income, meet your
model firm: M3 Communications Group.
We do have method to our madness:
Founded in 1994 in Sofia, M3 has won
kudos as “PR Agency of the Year,” “2011
Eastern European Consultancy of the Year,”
and the top “2011 PR Agency in Europe.” A
Hill & Knowlton associate, the firm is
growing by leaps and bounds—and is
representative of increasing opportunities for
PR globally. For those who do their best work
only when venturing to the outer edges, we
say get your passport and book your flight!
Show Me the Money -10 Best Cities for Top Paying PR Jobs

13. Show Me the Money
10 Best Cities for Top Paying
PR Jobs
It’s Not Always Just About the Money...
It’s not always just about the money, but money talks. Add in some choices here for
quality of life, richness of culture and availability of opportunity and any of these
cities would be a great choice for today’s upwardly mobile PR professional.
We hope you’ll be inspired by what you see and read here to look beyond the
standard choices and find the best place for you and your unique skills. Just be sure
to send us a postcard, OK?

14. Show Me the Money
10 Best Cities for Top Paying
PR Jobs
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