SOC 13-1071 · May 2025 · United States
Human Resources Specialists
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists across the United States is $75,940 per year, measured over 912,430 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $110,970.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Human Resources Specialists
Pay for this occupation varies by 101.7% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $110,970 and Arkansas pays $55,010.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $110,970 | 6,910 | |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $85,630 | 27,300 | |
| 3 | Washington | $84,550 | 22,770 | |
| 4 | New York | $84,380 | 54,610 | |
| 5 | Maryland | $83,910 | 15,530 | |
| 6 | California | $83,500 | 104,000 | |
| 7 | Connecticut | $82,890 | 9,010 | |
| 8 | Virginia | $82,090 | 28,540 | |
| 9 | Colorado | $80,840 | 19,450 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | $80,690 | 21,690 |
States with the most Human Resources Specialists jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 104,000 | $83,500 | |
| 2 | Texas | 84,930 | $68,920 | |
| 3 | Florida | 62,730 | $66,410 | |
| 4 | New York | 54,610 | $84,380 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 36,960 | $70,450 | |
| 6 | Illinois | 35,430 | $76,820 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 33,500 | $70,180 | |
| 8 | Georgia | 32,110 | $70,570 | |
| 9 | North Carolina | 31,140 | $73,070 | |
| 10 | Virginia | 28,540 | $82,090 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $112,140 | 7,970 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $103,140 | 16,420 |
| 3 | Washington | $100,830 | 24,450 |
| 4 | Lexington Park | $98,170 | 330 |
| 5 | Parkersburg | $94,520 | 440 |
| 6 | Seattle | $92,770 | 14,120 |
| 7 | Bremerton | $90,290 | 710 |
| 8 | Boston | $90,270 | 21,770 |
| 9 | New York | $89,780 | 52,370 |
| 10 | Olympia | $86,700 | 1,410 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.