Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Public Relations Specialists Salary in South Carolina: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Public Relations Specialists salary really buy you in South Carolina?

South Carolina is 6.4% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$62,730
Median annual (2025)
+6.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$67,019
COL-adjusted (RPP=93.6)

South Carolina Cost of Living Index

South Carolina's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 93.6, meaning prices are 6.4% lower the national average. A Public Relations Specialists earning $62,730 in South Carolina has the equivalent purchasing power of $67,019 in an average-cost US state.

SC: 93.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $38,920 $41,581 +$2,661
25th Percentile (P25) $49,150 $52,510 +$3,360
Median (P50) $62,730 $67,019 +$4,289
75th Percentile (P75) $92,560 $98,888 +$6,328
90th Percentile (P90) $143,940 $153,782 +$9,842
Key Insight

A Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina earns $62,730 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 7% further — like earning $67,019 in an average-cost state. This makes South Carolina one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Carolina Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 93.6

With an RPP of 93.6, South Carolina is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Public Relations Specialists is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+6.8%

After applying South Carolina's RPP, the $62,730 median salary translates to $67,019 in real terms — a 6.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Public Relations Specialists.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#39 / 51

South Carolina ranks #39 of 51 — bottom quartile for Public Relations Specialists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Public Relations Specialists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Public Relations Specialists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$88,113
RPP 116.6
$79,877
RPP 106.4
$79,663
RPP 109.8
$79,233
RPP 88.7
$78,866
RPP 102.3
$78,726
RPP 102.1
$77,673
RPP 98.0
8. Nevada
$76,597
RPP 96.4
9. Georgia
$76,409
RPP 95.8
10. Maryland
$75,771
RPP 105.0

South Carolina ranks #39 out of 51 states for Public Relations Specialists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Public Relations Specialists take-home pay in South Carolina after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina after cost of living?

A Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina earns a median salary of $62,730 per year. After adjusting for South Carolina's cost of living (RPP=93.6), the real purchasing power is $67,019 — a +6.8% difference.

Is South Carolina expensive to live in?

South Carolina's cost of living is 6.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Carolina is 93.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina: $62,730 x (100 / 93.6) = $67,019. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Public Relations Specialists in South Carolina enjoys 6.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy