How much does a human resources specialist make?
The median human resources specialist in the United States earns $75,940 per year, about $36.51 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all human resources specialists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1071.
Human resources specialist salary range
Pay for human resources specialists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,180 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $128,720. The average (mean) wage of $81,990 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 | $47,180 | $22.69 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,610 | $28.18 | |
| Median (50th) | $75,940 | $36.51 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,380 | $47.78 | |
| 90th percentile | $128,720 | $61.89 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for human resources specialists (SOC 13-1071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Human resources specialist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Human resources specialists earn the most in District of Columbia at $110,970 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $55,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | 6,910 |
| Massachusetts | $85,630 | 27,300 |
| Washington | $84,550 | 22,770 |
| New York | $84,380 | 54,610 |
| Maryland | $83,910 | 15,530 |
| California | $83,500 | 104,000 |
| Connecticut | $82,890 | 9,010 |
| Virginia | $82,090 | 28,540 |
| Colorado | $80,840 | 19,450 |
| New Jersey | $80,690 | 21,690 |
| Minnesota | $78,760 | 17,240 |
| Oregon | $78,060 | 10,620 |
| Vermont | $77,800 | 1,270 |
| Delaware | $77,700 | 2,720 |
| Rhode Island | $77,560 | 3,320 |
| Alaska | $76,990 | 1,420 |
| Illinois | $76,820 | 35,430 |
| North Dakota | $75,630 | 1,710 |
| Hawaii | $73,750 | 2,570 |
| North Carolina | $73,070 | 31,140 |
| Utah | $71,750 | 9,900 |
| Maine | $71,630 | 3,020 |
| Nevada | $71,610 | 6,520 |
| Arizona | $71,390 | 20,230 |
| Kansas | $70,870 | 7,560 |
| New Hampshire | $70,840 | 4,270 |
| Georgia | $70,570 | 32,110 |
| Wisconsin | $70,540 | 17,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,450 | 36,960 |
| Ohio | $70,180 | 33,500 |
| Michigan | $69,520 | 25,520 |
| Kentucky | $69,010 | 10,900 |
| Texas | $68,920 | 84,930 |
| New Mexico | $68,050 | 4,090 |
| South Dakota | $67,590 | 1,340 |
| Tennessee | $67,370 | 21,460 |
| Missouri | $66,990 | 17,650 |
| Wyoming | $66,970 | 1,000 |
| West Virginia | $66,860 | 3,130 |
| Iowa | $66,710 | 7,930 |
| Florida | $66,410 | 62,730 |
| Indiana | $65,600 | 17,110 |
| South Carolina | $65,370 | 13,720 |
| Idaho | $64,990 | 3,930 |
| Alabama | $64,940 | 11,080 |
| Montana | $63,790 | 2,340 |
| Nebraska | $61,930 | 7,220 |
| Oklahoma | $61,630 | 9,370 |
| Louisiana | $61,300 | 7,240 |
| Mississippi | $60,300 | 4,850 |
| Arkansas | $55,010 | 6,230 |
State median wages for human resources specialists (SOC 13-1071), 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 specialists
The BLS projects employment of human resources specialists to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 939,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 999,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 73,700 openings a year for human resources specialists. 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 specialist
The typical entry-level education for human resources specialists is a bachelor'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 specialist earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $110,970) and the lowest (Arkansas, $55,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 912,430 people work as human resources specialists in the United States. At $75,940 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Human resources specialist salary FAQ
How much does a human resources specialist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a human resources specialist is $36.51. The middle half of human resources specialists earn between $28.18 and $47.78 per hour.
What is the highest human resources specialist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of human resources specialists earn more than $128,720 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a human resources specialist make a year?
The median annual salary for a human resources specialist is $75,940. The average (mean) wage of $81,990 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 specialist a well paid job?
At $75,940 a year, a human resources specialist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 912,430 people work as human resources specialists in the United States.
Which state pays human resources specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for human resources specialists at $110,970 a year. Massachusetts ($85,630) and Washington ($84,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a human resources specialist a good career?
Employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 73,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a human resources specialist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for human resources specialists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Business & Finance salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.