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External Relations Salary in the United States

How much does an External Relations make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an External Relations in the United States is $83,216 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, an External Relations's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,436
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,090 to $89,089
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $67,692
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out External Relations Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence External Relations Salaries

An External Relations's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects External Relations Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an External Relations's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,565
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,993
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,369
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $113,289
  • Expert (over 8 years): $121,887
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Employee Relations Specialist I less than 1 year $63,565
External Relations 1-2 years $81,993
Employee Relations Specialist III 2-4 years $99,369
Employee Relations Specialist IV 5-8 years $113,289
Employee Relations Manager over 8 years $121,887

How Do External Relations Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract External Relations. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $92,137.
  • California: $91,788.
  • Massachusetts: $90,564.

Top Paying Cities for External Relations

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $104,961
  • San Francisco: $103,812
  • Oakland: $101,624

External Relations Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For External Relations roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, External Relations positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view External Relations as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an External Relations

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $104,021 $50.0 25%
Software & Networking $101,524 $49.0 22%
Aerospace & Defense $95,699 $46.0 15%
Internet $95,699 $46.0 15%
Energy & Utilities $91,538 $44.0 10%

How Education impacts an External Relations's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many External Relations professionals enter the field with a Associate's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an External Relations with a Associate's is between $78,595 and $83,437.

External Relations Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for External Relations
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 10.8%
High School 10.8%
Associate's Degree 6.5%
Bachelor's Degree 43%
Master's Degree or MBA 35.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 4.3%
View as Graph

External Relations Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an External Relations's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$75,090
Average $83,216/year
$89,089
$6,258
Average $6,935/month
$7,424
$1,444
Average $1,600/week
$1,713
$36
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,089 $7,424 $1,713 $43
Average $83,216 $6,935 $1,600 $40
25th Percentile $75,090 $6,258 $1,444 $36

Most common benefits for External Relations

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for External Relations

Here are companies hiring for External Relations and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next External Relations Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current External Relations job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Travel PCU Registered Nursein

    Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Registered Nurse. Pay: $2,017.00 to $2,238.04 weekly. Assignment Length: 13 Weeks. Schedule: 3x12-Hour 19:00 - 07:30. Openings: 1. Start Date: 09/08/2026. ... more

    17 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President Internal Communications

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    20 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    25 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President Payments Engineering

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    27 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    27 Days Ago

  • USPS | Columbus, OH

    USPS Postal Workers

    USPS | Columbus, OH

    The United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking Mail Carriers and City Carrier Assistants (CCA) to deliver mail and packages to residential and business... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about External Relations

1. What industry pays the highest salary for External Relations?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for External Relations roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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