How much to charge for public relations
Rates reviewed June 2026
PR is priced as a monthly retainer or per campaign, and the value is relationships and coverage, not billable hours. Set expectations on outcomes and timelines up front, because earned media takes time to build.
You should charge
$4,950
per month (retainer) · typical $1,500–$15,000
Why this number. Sell a retainer with clear monthly deliverables and an honest timeline. PR disappoints when clients expect instant headlines, so framing it as relationship-building over months protects the account and your rate.
Typical public relations prices
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Project (launch, announcement) | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Monthly retainer | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| Press release writing | $300 – $1,500 |
Free · The words, not just the number
Get the public relations pricing script
A short, calm script for quoting public relations in person. The goal is not to pitch. It is to ask a few good questions, say your number once without flinching, and let them talk themselves into yes.
- ✓The questions to ask before you ever name a price
- ✓How to say your number so it lands, then stay quiet
- ✓The line for when they say "that's too much" (no discounting)
- ✓A rate-increase template for clients you already have
- ✓Early access to the paid Pricing Toolkit
Instant unlock, and a copy in your inbox. No spam. The calculator stays free either way.
What changes the price
- Scope (media outreach, press, crisis)
- Retainer vs. project
- Agency reputation and media contacts
- Deliverables
The pricing move most people miss
Sell a retainer with clear monthly deliverables and an honest timeline. PR disappoints when clients expect instant headlines, so framing it as relationship-building over months protects the account and your rate.
What to SayAI
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Get the reply →Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for public relations?+
Most public relations is priced $1,500–$15,000 per month (retainer), with a typical rate around $5,000 per month (retainer). Where you land inside that range comes down mainly to scope (media outreach, press, crisis) and retainer vs. project. Use the range as your anchor, then adjust up for experience, strong demand, and a higher cost-of-living area.
Should I charge for public relations monthly or per project?+
public relations is usually billed as a monthly retainer rather than per hour or per one-off project. A retainer gives you predictable income and the client a predictable cost. The one rule: define exactly what the retainer includes up front, or the scope will quietly expand on you.
How much should I charge for public relations as a beginner?+
Starting out, price near the lower end of the range, roughly $1,500 to $5,000 per month (retainer). Resist going below that to win work: a price that is too low attracts price-shoppers, signals low quality, and is hard to raise later. Once you have a few happy clients and reviews, move toward $15,000.
What affects how much public relations costs?+
The biggest factors are scope (media outreach, press, crisis); retainer vs. project; agency reputation and media contacts; deliverables. Two jobs that look alike can price very differently once these are accounted for, which is why a quick walkthrough or a few questions before quoting protects your rate.
How do I quote public relations so the client says yes?+
Sell a retainer with clear monthly deliverables and an honest timeline. PR disappoints when clients expect instant headlines, so framing it as relationship-building over months protects the account and your rate. Put the quote in writing with exactly what is included, state the price once without apologizing for it, and give one clear next step. A confident, well-structured quote wins jobs at a higher price than a vague one at a lower price.