HR Specialist Salary: 6 Factors that Impact Earning Potential

Key takeaways

• HR specialists earn a median US salary of $72,910, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1].

• How much experience you have, the technical skills you've developed, and where you live can affect your earning potential in this role.

• From an HR specialist, you can advance to become an HR manager and earn a higher salary.

Explore the factors that can impact how much you earn as an HR specialist in the following article. If you’re looking to start earning credentials right away, consider enrolling to earn the HRCI Professional in Human Resources Professional Certificate. In as little as three months, you'll learn to navigate federal employment laws and compliance requirements, use data and HR technology to analyze workforce trends, and apply HR best practices across key functions like talent acquisition, compensation, and employee engagement.

HR specialist salary range

HR specialists not only have encouraging earning potential, but the role is expected to grow by six percent over the next decade, which is faster than average compared to other titles. 

The salary range for an HR specialist is between approximately $53,000 and $82,000, according to data from several popular salary reporting websites [1, 2, 3, 4]:

6 factors that impact an HR specialist's salary

Many factors affect how much you could potentially earn as an HR specialist, including where you live, the type of education you've acquired, and the industry in which you work.

1. Location

In some states and districts, human resources specialists can earn a higher salary, usually to offset the higher cost of living. Five of the highest-paying states and their average salaries include [5]:

• District of Columbia: $106,740

• Washington: $91,220

• California: $90,110

• New York: $89,530

• Maryland: $86,710

2. Education

Many employers require a bachelor’s degree when hiring HR specialists. In fact, Zippia reports that 61 percent of HR specialists have a bachelor’s degree, while 11 percent have a master’s degree [6].

Investing in a college degree or advancing to earn a master's degree can be a worthwhile way to increase your earning potential. Many colleges offer majors in human resource management. Other relevant areas to study include psychology, sociology, business administration, or communications.

According to Zippia, your average annual earnings could vary based on the level of education you completed [4]:

• Associate degree: $49,093

• Bachelor’s degree: $58,365

• Master’s degree: $64,595

3. Certification 

A degree isn’t the only way to formalize your HR knowledge while building important skills. Gaining an HR certification can be useful for developing your abilities in a specific area and earning a recognized credential to feature on your resume.

Popular options include the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification or the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute. Payscale reports the average earnings for those who completed popular human resources certifications [7, 8]:

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP): $81,000

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR): $86,000

Gain fundamental knowledge to prepare for the PHR exam with the HRCI's Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate.

4. Experience

HR specialists have around four years of experience, according to Zippia [6]. As you gain experience, you may be able to earn more through annual growth or promotions that entail taking on additional responsibilities.

Explore how much you may earn as an HR specialist based on your experience level, according to data from Glassdoor [2]:

• 4–6 years: $88,000

• 7–9 years: $97,000

• 10–14 years: $108,000

• 15 or more years: $122,000

5. Industry

The industry you work in impacts your earnings as well. Sectors such as government, technology, finance, manufacturing, or telecommunications tend to pay higher salaries when it comes to HR. Others, including health care, employment services, and social assistance, typically pay lower wages on average. 

Discover how the salary for an HR specialist varies by industry, according to Glassdoor [2]:

• Financial services: $88,631

• Aerospace and defense: $84,498

• Government and public administration: $76,880

• Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services: $75,144

• Manufacturing: $72,995

6. Technical skills

Payscale reports that your annual salary may increase significantly as an HR specialist, depending on your skills and knowledge. Check out skills that Payscale reports could have a significant impact on your salary [9]:

• Learning management system (LMS)

• Change management

• Global mobility

• Writing procedures and documentation

• Equal employment opportunities

• Process Improvement

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Leadership

• Program Management

• Performance Management

Career advancement for HR specialists

With additional experience and training, HR specialists can advance to become HR generalists or HR analysts. In a generalist role, you'll take on broader responsibilities and apply your knowledge to a wider range of HR areas. In an analyst role, you'll use data and HR analytics tools to better understand a company's workforce and develop strategies to improve performance. From either of these roles, you can advance to become a human resources manager, which typically requires leadership experience, as you'll be tasked with overseeing an HR team.

Here are some of the job titles and annual salaries you can explore as you look to move beyond an HR specialist role.

• HR generalist: $83,000

• HR analyst: $98,000

• HR manager: $106,000

• HR director: $230,000

• HR vice president: $322,000

*Glassdoor figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

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