Human Resources Specialist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Human Resources Specialists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $65,260 a year ($31.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $70,450. There are 5.6 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| 25th percentile | $56,230 | $27.03 |
| Median | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| 75th percentile | $83,800 | $40.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| Average (mean) | $73,080 | $35.13 |
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 | $5,438.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,719.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,510 |
| Weekly | $1,255 |
| Hourly | $31.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Management Analyst | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Compliance Officer | $70,560 | $33.93 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Cost Estimator | $77,980 | $37.49 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Logistician | $77,220 | $37.12 |
| Fundraiser | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,860 | $25.42 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $65,260 a year, or $31.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $106,810 a year. The top 25% earn $83,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,110 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $56,230 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 6,280 human resources specialists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.