Human Resources Specialist salary in Pennsylvania
Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $70,450 a year ($33.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 36,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,850 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pennsylvania ranks 29th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 6.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| 25th percentile | $56,050 | $26.95 |
| Median | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| 75th percentile | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,850 | $57.62 |
| Average (mean) | $77,290 | $37.16 |
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 | $5,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,709.62 |
| Weekly | $1,354.81 |
| Hourly | $33.87 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,700 | 16,000 |
| Lebanon, PA | $75,320 | 310 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $74,350 | 980 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $71,800 | 260 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $70,140 | 2,640 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $70,040 | 1,720 |
| Reading, PA | $69,410 | 940 |
| Lancaster, PA | $66,330 | 1,200 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $65,360 | 1,130 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $65,260 | 6,280 |
| State College, PA | $64,220 | 260 |
| Altoona, PA | $63,910 | 310 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $62,600 | 120 |
| Williamsport, PA | $61,940 | 220 |
| Erie, PA | $60,860 | 540 |
| Johnstown, PA | $59,120 | 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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $100,150 | $48.15 |
| Management Analyst | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Compliance Officer | $85,580 | $41.15 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $71,350 | $34.30 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Logistician | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Fundraiser | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $70,640 | $33.96 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $58,170 | $27.96 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $91,320 | $43.90 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Pennsylvania is $70,450 a year, or $33.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Pennsylvania earn at least $119,850 a year. The top 25% earn $90,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,610 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $56,050 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Pennsylvania?
About 36,960 human resources specialists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.