Human Resources Specialist salary in Rochester, NY
Human Resources Specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $76,590 a year ($36.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,760 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $84,380. There are 5.0 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,760 | $24.89 |
| 25th percentile | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Median | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| 75th percentile | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,760 | $59.02 |
| Average (mean) | $81,420 | $39.14 |
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 | $6,382.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,191.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,945.77 |
| Weekly | $1,472.88 |
| Hourly | $36.82 |
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 |
| Binghamton, NY | $76,140 | 330 |
| Ithaca, NY | $75,270 | 200 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $74,510 | 2,730 |
| 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 Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $103,520 | $49.77 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Management Analyst | $97,070 | $46.67 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,890 | $37.93 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| Fundraiser | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $82,080 | $39.46 |
| Logistician | $80,910 | $38.90 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $88,740 | $42.67 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $76,590 a year, or $36.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $122,760 a year. The top 25% earn $98,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,760 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $60,950 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Rochester, NY?
About 2,460 human resources specialists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.