Human Resources Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Human Resources Specialists Make?
Human Resources Specialists earn a median annual salary of $72,910 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $45,440 at the 10th percentile to $126,540 at the 90th percentile — a range of $81,100. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $102,500.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,440 |
| 25th percentile | $55,870 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 |
| 75th percentile | $97,270 |
| 90th percentile | $126,540 |
Human Resources Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $102,500 |
| Washington | $83,230 |
| Massachusetts | $81,960 |
| California | $81,810 |
| Maryland | $81,140 |
| New York | $81,140 |
| Virginia | $78,580 |
| New Jersey | $78,170 |
| Colorado | $78,170 |
| Connecticut | $77,750 |
| Minnesota | $77,250 |
| Kansas | $76,490 |
| Vermont | $76,190 |
| Oregon | $74,030 |
| Delaware | $72,670 |
| Illinois | $72,350 |
| Rhode Island | $70,060 |
| North Dakota | $69,740 |
| North Carolina | $69,400 |
| Utah | $67,620 |
| Hawaii | $66,970 |
| Michigan | $66,400 |
| Wisconsin | $66,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,020 |
| New Hampshire | $65,610 |
| Arizona | $65,410 |
| Tennessee | $65,200 |
| New Mexico | $65,180 |
| Georgia | $65,130 |
| Kentucky | $64,950 |
| Iowa | $64,920 |
| South Carolina | $64,720 |
| Ohio | $64,600 |
| Texas | $64,560 |
| Maine | $64,420 |
| Nevada | $64,120 |
| Florida | $63,960 |
| Idaho | $63,630 |
| Alabama | $62,770 |
| Missouri | $62,710 |
| Wyoming | $62,690 |
| West Virginia | $62,300 |
| Indiana | $62,230 |
| South Dakota | $61,920 |
| Montana | $61,860 |
| Louisiana | $61,020 |
| Nebraska | $59,330 |
| Oklahoma | $58,070 |
| Mississippi | $56,050 |
| Arkansas | $52,890 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Human Resources Specialists
Human Resources Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$45,440 – $55,870 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$72,910 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$97,270 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $126,540+ |
How to Earn More as a Human Resources Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Human Resources Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $114,080 — $41,170 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($97,270) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Human Resources Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialistthis career | $72,910 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,390 |
| Compensation and Benefits Manager | $140,360 |
| Human Resources Manager | $140,030 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
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SOC: 13-1071.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.