What PR agencies say they charge.

Short answer: Among 77 agencies a large directory lists for PR, the most common minimum project is $1,000 to $10,000 (52%), and 27% ask for at least $10,000. The 56 that list an hourly rate charge a median of $140, with the middle half between $93 and $200.^1,2 Only 10 of the 77 have PR or communications in their name: many firms listed for PR are digital marketing, SEO or reputation agencies.

What we looked at

DesignRush, an agency directory, lists 613 agencies under "PR agencies for startups" and 2,630 under "PR firms". Each profile states a minimum project size (in ranges) and an hourly rate, as the agency reports them. We took the first 50 agencies shown in each list on November 5, 2026; with the overlap, that is 77 agencies.^1,2

These are the agencies the directory shows first, which can depend on the directory's own ranking and on paid placement, so they are a snapshot of what buyers see, not a random sample of all PR firms. We don't publish agency names.

Minimum project size

Most agencies start at $1,000 to $10,000 (40 of 77). 17 start at $10,000 to $25,000, 2 at $25,000 to $50,000 and 2 at $50,000 or more. Only 2 take projects under $1,000, and 14 don't state a minimum.^1,2

Hourly rates

56 of the 77 agencies list an hourly rate. The median is $140 an hour; half charge between $93 and $200, and the full range runs from $13 to $500.^1,2 Agencies based in the US (52 of the 77) list a median of $150, against $100 for agencies based elsewhere.

Not every "PR agency" does PR

Only 10 of the 77 agencies have "PR", "Public Relations" or "Communications" in their name. The others include digital marketing, SEO, social media, web design and online reputation firms that list PR among their services. That isn't wrong, but it means a directory search for a PR agency mixes very different kinds of work.

What it means if you're hiring

• Expect a minimum. Most agencies won't take a project under $1,000, and about a quarter start at $10,000. Ask for the minimum upfront.
• An hourly rate isn't a result. Hours measure effort, not articles. Ask what is included: which publications, how many articles, by when, and what happens if nothing is published.
• Check what the firm actually does. Many firms listed for PR are marketing or SEO agencies. If you want articles in publications, ask for examples of placements.
• Compare models, not just prices. Retainers, hourly work and paying per article each fit different needs. Our guide to how PR pricing works explains them.

Questions

Sources

1. Top PR Agencies for Startups (agency profiles), DesignRush.
2. Top PR Firms (agency profiles), DesignRush.

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Related guides: How much does a PR agency cost? · How to choose a PR agency or publicist · Publicist vs. PR agency: which do you need? · PR statistics: the numbers from our research