Human Resources Specialist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Human Resources Specialists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $74,510 a year ($35.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,730 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,410 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 12% lower than the New York statewide median of $84,380. There are 5.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| 25th percentile | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Median | $74,510 | $35.82 |
| 75th percentile | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,410 | $57.89 |
| Average (mean) | $79,180 | $38.07 |
Half of human resources specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,104.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,865.77 |
| Weekly | $1,432.88 |
| Hourly | $35.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $89,780 | 52,370 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $77,840 | 1,040 |
| Syracuse, NY | $77,190 | 1,280 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $77,000 | 2,970 |
| Rochester, NY | $76,590 | 2,460 |
| Binghamton, NY | $76,140 | 330 |
| Ithaca, NY | $75,270 | 200 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $73,920 | 180 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $72,420 | 540 |
| Elmira, NY | $72,160 | 130 |
| Kingston, NY | $72,040 | 200 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $68,170 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for human resources specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| Massachusetts | $85,630 |
| Washington | $84,550 |
| New York | $84,380 |
| Maryland | $83,910 |
| California | $83,500 |
| Connecticut | $82,890 |
| Virginia | $82,090 |
| Colorado | $80,840 |
| New Jersey | $80,690 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $101,180 | $48.64 |
| Management Analyst | $84,710 | $40.73 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $75,990 | $36.53 |
| Compliance Officer | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Cost Estimator | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,740 | $46.03 |
| Logistician | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Fundraiser | $73,480 | $35.33 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $61,590 | $29.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $74,510 a year, or $35.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $120,410 a year. The top 25% earn $94,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,920 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $59,750 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 2,730 human resources specialists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.