Human Resources Specialist salary in New Jersey
Human Resources Specialists in New Jersey earn a median of $80,690 a year ($38.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,770 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $75,940. New Jersey ranks 10th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 5.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| 25th percentile | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Median | $80,690 | $38.80 |
| 75th percentile | $103,160 | $49.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,770 | $63.83 |
| Average (mean) | $89,170 | $42.87 |
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 | $6,724.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,362.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,103.46 |
| Weekly | $1,551.73 |
| Hourly | $38.80 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $89,780 | 52,370 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $80,340 | 1,400 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $77,380 | 430 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,700 | 16,000 |
| Vineland, NJ | $74,880 | 200 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $70,040 | 1,720 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| Project Management Specialist | $122,980 | $59.12 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Management Analyst | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Compliance Officer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $95,690 | $46.01 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Logistician | $92,280 | $44.37 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $118,370 | $56.91 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Fundraiser | $77,170 | $37.10 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for human resources specialists in New Jersey is $80,690 a year, or $38.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in New Jersey earn at least $132,770 a year. The top 25% earn $103,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,420 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $65,890 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in New Jersey?
About 21,690 human resources specialists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.