Human Resources Specialist salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$103,140/year
about $49.59 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $79,820 – $136,040
Half of human resources specialists in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $103,140 a year and half earn less. That's 36% higher than the national median of $75,940, and ranks #2 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| 25th | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Median (50th) | $103,140 | $49.59 |
| 75th | $136,040 | $65.40 |
| 90th (top earners) | $171,420 | $82.41 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a human resources specialist job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $79,820 ($38.38/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $79,820 to $136,040 ($38.38 to $65.40/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $136,040 ($65.40/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- This BLS category includes recruiters, so compare recruiting roles with commission or bonus included.
- HR generalist roles at small companies often cover payroll, benefits and hiring at once. Price the whole job.
- Certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR can support a higher offer.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Human Resources Specialists (SOC 13-1071). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.