How much does a human resources assistant make?
The median human resources assistant in the United States earns $50,610 per year, about $24.33 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all human resources assistants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-4161.
Human resources assistant salary range
Pay for human resources assistants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,340 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $68,280. The average (mean) wage of $52,250 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,340 | $17.95 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $44,030 | $21.17 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,610 | $24.33 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,800 | $28.75 | |
| 90th percentile | $68,280 | $32.83 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping (SOC 43-4161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Human resources assistant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Human resources assistants earn the most in District of Columbia at $59,050 a year, and the least in Alabama at $42,140. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,050 | 610 |
| California | $57,590 | 11,490 |
| Washington | $57,390 | 2,350 |
| Maryland | $56,880 | 1,480 |
| Alaska | $56,510 | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $56,370 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $55,840 | 1,400 |
| Colorado | $54,880 | 1,660 |
| Minnesota | $54,520 | 3,380 |
| New Jersey | $54,410 | 4,000 |
| Connecticut | $54,130 | 910 |
| Oregon | $53,550 | 1,050 |
| North Dakota | $53,000 | 110 |
| New York | $52,920 | 8,800 |
| Virginia | $51,950 | 2,160 |
| Vermont | $51,810 | 140 |
| Idaho | $51,770 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $51,400 | 470 |
| Delaware | $50,850 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $50,400 | 1,240 |
| Montana | $50,070 | 140 |
| Maine | $49,710 | 490 |
| Wyoming | $49,660 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $49,650 | 620 |
| Kansas | $49,630 | 660 |
| Hawaii | $49,260 | 450 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,800 | 2,700 |
| Wisconsin | $48,690 | 1,890 |
| Iowa | $48,490 | 920 |
| Florida | $48,330 | 3,210 |
| Illinois | $48,310 | 4,140 |
| Ohio | $48,310 | 2,770 |
| Michigan | $48,250 | 1,890 |
| North Carolina | $48,190 | 2,790 |
| Missouri | $47,960 | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $47,900 | 1,390 |
| Arizona | $47,890 | 1,490 |
| Indiana | $47,850 | 1,870 |
| Texas | $47,540 | 5,890 |
| Louisiana | $47,490 | 750 |
| Nebraska | $47,130 | 440 |
| Georgia | $46,830 | 2,510 |
| Arkansas | $46,190 | 720 |
| Utah | $45,790 | 700 |
| Tennessee | $45,760 | 3,930 |
| South Carolina | $45,300 | 1,190 |
| South Dakota | $45,150 | 190 |
| Oklahoma | $44,950 | 600 |
| Mississippi | $44,780 | 1,010 |
| West Virginia | $42,990 | 480 |
| Alabama | $42,140 | 960 |
State median wages for human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping (SOC 43-4161), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for human resources assistants
The BLS projects employment of human resources assistants to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 6.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 96,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 90,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,900 openings a year for human resources assistants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a human resources assistant
The typical entry-level education for human resources assistants is an associate's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a human resources assistant earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $59,050) and the lowest (Alabama, $42,140) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 90,220 people work as human resources assistants in the United States. At $50,610 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Human resources assistant salary FAQ
How much does a human resources assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a human resources assistant is $24.33. The middle half of human resources assistants earn between $21.17 and $28.75 per hour.
What is the highest human resources assistant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of human resources assistants earn more than $68,280 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a human resources assistant make a year?
The median annual salary for a human resources assistant is $50,610. The average (mean) wage of $52,250 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a human resources assistant a well paid job?
At $50,610 a year, a human resources assistant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 90,220 people work as human resources assistants in the United States.
Which state pays human resources assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for human resources assistants at $59,050 a year. California ($57,590) and Washington ($57,390) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a human resources assistant a good career?
Employment of human resources assistants is projected to shrink 6.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a human resources assistant?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for human resources assistants as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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