Human Resources Specialist salary in the United States
National median pay
$75,940/year
about $36.51 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $58,610 – $99,380
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| 25th | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Median (50th) | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| 75th | $99,380 | $47.78 |
| 90th (top earners) | $128,720 | $61.88 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Jose ($112,140). Lowest of the cities we track: Pittsburgh ($65,260).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $85,150 – $153,460 |
| San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $79,820 – $136,040 |
| Washington, DC | $100,830 | $76,070 – $131,510 |
| Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $73,860 – $124,380 |
| Boston, MA | $90,270 | $68,650 – $121,700 |
| New York, NY | $89,780 | $70,210 – $124,130 |
| Denver, CO | $82,550 | $63,520 – $105,910 |
| Baltimore, MD | $82,380 | $64,140 – $108,950 |
| San Diego, CA | $81,300 | $65,710 – $107,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $80,950 | $64,660 – $104,650 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $80,330 | $63,230 – $102,590 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $80,220 | $63,410 – $105,560 |
| Portland, OR | $80,100 | $65,220 – $102,390 |
| Charlotte, NC | $78,330 | $59,800 – $101,690 |
| Chicago, IL | $78,210 | $61,470 – $100,550 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $76,700 | $60,680 – $98,820 |
| Austin, TX | $75,860 | $60,300 – $96,380 |
| Detroit, MI | $75,830 | $58,370 – $96,360 |
| Atlanta, GA | $75,410 | $58,490 – $99,990 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $74,640 | $58,720 – $95,970 |
| San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $57,030 – $95,910 |
| Houston, TX | $72,550 | $57,480 – $94,120 |
| St. Louis, MO | $71,670 | $54,770 – $93,950 |
| Dallas, TX | $70,700 | $51,820 – $92,490 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $69,950 | $57,000 – $93,950 |
| Miami, FL | $67,580 | $51,950 – $88,030 |
| Nashville, TN | $67,380 | $57,070 – $89,040 |
| Tampa, FL | $65,580 | $51,060 – $91,170 |
| Orlando, FL | $65,430 | $50,820 – $87,730 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $65,260 | $56,230 – $83,800 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for human resources specialists, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $58,610 ($28.18/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $58,610 to $99,380 ($28.18 to $47.78/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $99,380 ($47.78/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.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Human Resources Specialists (SOC 13-1071). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.