Human Resources Specialists
SOC 13-1071 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists is $67,650, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $76,060, and an estimated 895,970 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +6.6% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -9.5% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 6.2% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Human Resources Specialists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $67,650 | $67,650 | 895,970 |
| 2022 | $64,240 | $66,884 | 835,360 |
| 2021 | $62,290 | $70,044 | 740,830 |
| 2020 | $63,490 | $74,748 | 647,810 |
Nominal change
+6.6%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-9.5%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+6.2%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
944,300
Projected 2034
1,002,700
Annual Openings
81,800
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Human Resources Specialists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $67,650. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $100,980 | +49.3% | 7,740 |
| Washington | $81,190 | +20% | 24,460 |
| New York | $80,050 | +18.3% | 53,700 |
| California | $79,870 | +18.1% | 96,920 |
| New Jersey | $78,640 | +16.2% | 20,500 |
| Maryland | $78,610 | +16.2% | 16,190 |
| Colorado | $77,490 | +14.5% | 19,440 |
| Massachusetts | $77,420 | +14.4% | 26,090 |
| Virginia | $76,840 | +13.6% | 30,840 |
| Connecticut | $76,220 | +12.7% | 8,450 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$42,900
25th Pct
$51,510
Median
$67,650
75th Pct
$92,390
90th Pct
$121,800
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYTEDANCE INC. | CA | 5 | $144,000 |
| Honest Medical Group LLC | CA | 3 | $107,500 |
| Leela Life Sciences LLC | NC | 2 | $33,280 |
| Synechron Inc. | NY | 2 | $105,000 |
| SMK SOFT, INC. | VA | 2 | $74,090 |
| Google LLC | NY | 2 | $171,000 |
| Torana Inc. | CT | 2 | $84,707 |
| USM Business Sytems Inc | TX | 2 | $75,000 |
| AIRBNB, INC. | CA | 2 | $190,000 |
| Ascendion, Inc. (Formerly known as Collabera, Inc.) | NJ | 1 | $71,500 |
| LHI GROUP INC. | NY | 1 | $60,000 |
| Solytics Partners LLC | NJ | 1 | $84,000 |
| Fuyao Glass America Inc. | OH | 1 | $55,000 |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | WA | 1 | $94,500 |
| Miracle Miles Technology LLC | CA | 1 | $91,000 |
| Clear Point Group | NY | 1 | $120,000 |
| Apex Therapeutic Services LLC | NY | 1 | $71,500 |
| Infineon Technologies Americas Corp. | CA | 1 | $133,000 |
| PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ADVISORY SERVICES LLC | FL | 1 | $175,000 |
| Dell USA L.P. | TX | 1 | $58,302 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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