What is the Average HR Specialist Salary?
Glassdoor states that the HR specialist’s salary is between $58,000 and $95,000.
This article discusses what the HR specialist role looks like, their compensation figures, and how the statistics differ across locations within the US.
Average Human Resources Specialist Salary
The pay for an HR specialist depends on their experience working within a specialized area and industry. It also depends on the organization and its scale. After all, that determines the workload and level of duties for the average HR specialist working there.
According to different salary reporting websites, here are some salary estimations and figures for the HR specialist role.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor reports that the average annual pay for HR specialists is $74,810. This figure includes a base pay of $44,071 and additional pay of $14,739.
Indeed
According to Indeed, HR specialists’ average base salary is $58,970.
PayScale
PayScale reports that the average annual compensation for the HR specialist role is $58,176. In addition, it shows the average base salary is $52,664 per year, including bonuses (up to $7,000), profit-sharing (up to $9,000), and commissions of up to $10,000.
Meanwhile, according to the Department of Labor, a quick survey of job alerts and new job postings revealed that most HR specialist jobs were in California (with Los Angeles at the top). It’s followed by Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
Career Outlook for an HR Specialist
An HR specialist can climb the ladder and gain better compensation by specializing further and gaining more crucial skills.
After gaining the necessary experience, an HR specialist can move on to become a senior HR specialist. Afterward, they can go up levels to become an HR specialist V. The HR professional can then transition into serious executive roles like Director of HR, Senior Director of HR, and Vice President of HR.
If you’re interested in learning more about the human resources field and gaining crucial knowledge necessary for well-paying roles, you should look into the HR certification courses at HR University.
The average salaries for more senior positions on the HR specialist career path (as per Glassdoor and reported in October 2024) are given below:
Senior HR Specialist
This role handles more significant and technical responsibilities than an average HR analyst. Therefore, they have a higher average annual compensation of $113,898.
HR Specialist V
While they may sound similar, this role differs from the senior HR manager role. The senior manager of HR is a senior position within the department, but they focus on an aspect such as data handling and analytics. Therefore, they receive an average annual salary of $125,183.
Director of HR
This role involves overseeing a team of HR analysts’ daily tasks while guiding and training new recruitments. Additionally, they make important decisions about the HR department’s technological tools.
A senior lead HR analyst can receive an annual salary of up to $168,109.
Senior Director of HR
This role is further up on the human resources career path. Its job title showcases the role’s required professional experience and the importance of its associated duties. The position can fetch an average total compensation of $325,277 annually.
Top Paying Cities for HR Specialists
According to ZipRecruiter, these cities offer the most attractive opportunities for HR specialists.
US West Coast
Average annual salaries for HR business partners are as follows:
- Santa Cruz: $75,168
- Santa Rosa: $73,473
US Midwest/Rocky Mountains
Average annual salaries for HR business partners are as follows:
- Chicago: $60,979
US East Coast
Average annual salaries for HR business partners are as follows:
- Manhattan: $71,804
- Arlington: $70,515
Gender Disparity in HR Specialist Salary Statistics
There is no gender pay gap in HR specialist-related jobs, according to PayScale. The gender breakdown is as follows.
Female HR Specialists: 86.4%
Male HR Specialists: 13.3%
Self-Defining HR Specialists: 0.3%
Education Level for HR Specialist Role
The HR specialist role is a focused position and the professional handles specific duties. However, they need the proper skill set to enter the industry and specialize further.
An HR specialist needs a Bachelor’s in human resources administration or a related business field.
Besides a college degree, many certifications can help HR specialists boost their pay and advance. Some are given below:
- HR University: Their HR management certification equips an HR professional with crucial human resources knowledge.
- SHRM: It is an industry-standard organization and offers a certified professional exam for HR professionals.
HR Specialist Salary Across Top Companies
According to Glassdoor, here is the annual average HR specialist salary in some of the top firms across different industries.
- Walgreens: $71,319
- PwC: $72,225
- Amazon: $80,000
- IBM: $84,356
- Marriott International: $59,430
Conclusion
It can be hard to gauge whether you’re receiving the right salary for many factors. However, if you have good employee relations, you can start by understanding the compensation of others within the organization.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HR specialist salary.
How is the salary of an HR specialist determined?
The salary of an HR specialist is influenced by various factors, including their level of experience, the industry in which they work, and the location of the office they are employed in. Salaries can also vary depending on the size of the organization and the specific services the HR department provides. HR specialists in larger companies or metropolitan areas often earn higher salaries than those in smaller organizations or rural areas.
What is the role of an HR specialist in connection to employees’ salaries?
HR specialists play a crucial role in the salary process by responding to employee queries related to compensation, benefits, and payroll. They ensure that salaries are processed correctly and that any adjustments, such as promotions or raises, are implemented after verification. HR specialists work closely with other departments to maintain accurate payroll records and ensure a seamless connection between employees and the payroll system.
How long does it take to receive a response when inquiring about an HR specialist salary?
Typically, HR departments aim to respond to salary-related inquiries promptly. However, the waiting period may vary based on the complexity of the inquiry and the workload of the HR team. If you are an applicant or current employee, it’s always best to follow up after a few business days if you have not received a response.
What is the HR specialist’s role in the hiring process for applicants?
HR specialists are often responsible for verifying applicant information during the hiring process. This involves completing background checks, verifying employment history, and ensuring all required documents are provided before proceeding with the final hiring stages. Once verification is successful, the specialist may help negotiate salaries and finalize offers with new hires.
What services do HR specialists provide that affect salary?
HR specialists offer a range of services related to salaries, including managing payroll systems, updating employee records, handling compensation disputes, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. They also assist in completing performance evaluations, which may influence salary adjustments based on an employee’s performance and contribution to the organization.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR specialist role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft an excellent HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
