Human Resources Specialist salary in Maryland
Human Resources Specialists in Maryland earn a median of $83,910 a year ($40.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 15,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,400 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $75,940. Maryland ranks 5th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 5.6 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,410 | $26.16 |
| 25th percentile | $64,760 | $31.14 |
| Median | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| 75th percentile | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,400 | $67.02 |
| Average (mean) | $92,180 | $44.32 |
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 | $6,992.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,496.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,227.31 |
| Weekly | $1,613.65 |
| Hourly | $40.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $100,830 | 24,450 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $98,170 | 330 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $82,380 | 7,930 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $77,730 | 510 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,700 | 16,000 |
| Salisbury, MD | $67,640 | 230 |
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 |
Related jobs in Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,040 | $50.02 |
| Management Analyst | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Compliance Officer | $84,720 | $40.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $90,900 | $43.70 |
| Logistician | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Cost Estimator | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Fundraiser | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $95,560 | $45.94 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Maryland is $83,910 a year, or $40.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Maryland earn at least $139,400 a year. The top 25% earn $111,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,410 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $64,760 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Maryland?
About 15,530 human resources specialists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.