SOC 13-1071 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Human Resources Specialists — Yakima
Yakima, WA · 10 metro areas compared
At $72,180, median pay for Human Resources Specialists in Yakima, WA tracks the national median of $75,940 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $72,180, median pay for Human Resources Specialists in Yakima, WA tracks the national median of $75,940 closely. Pay ranges from under $49,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $106,760 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $59,950 to $86,770.
The area has 390 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.69 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $92,770. Of the 292 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 104th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,950 | −34.2% |
| 25th | $59,950 | −21.1% |
| Median (50th) | $72,180 | −5.0% |
| 75th | $86,770 | +14.3% |
| 90th | $106,760 | +40.6% |
| Mean | $75,770 | −0.2% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $92,770 | 14,120 | |
| 2 | Bremerton | $90,290 | 710 | |
| 3 | Olympia | $86,700 | 1,410 | |
| 4 | Kennewick | $81,290 | 620 | |
| 5 | Walla Walla | $80,730 | 120 | |
| 6 | Mount Vernon | $78,800 | 230 | |
| 7 | Bellingham | $78,160 | 430 | |
| 8 | Wenatchee | $77,920 | 240 | |
| 9 | Longview | $75,810 | 190 | |
| 10 | Spokane | $74,430 | 1,370 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Yakima run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $72,180 buys what $67,458 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 11.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$72,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,458US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $72,180 a year, 5.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,950 to $106,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 390 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $92,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Yakima, WA?
The median annual wage is $72,180, or $34.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $75,940, so pay in Yakima, WA is 5.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Yakima, WA earns more than $106,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Seattle, at $92,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 390 jobs in this occupation in Yakima, WA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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