Human Resources Specialist salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Human Resources Specialists in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $65,360 a year ($31.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,750 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 4.4 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $71,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| 25th percentile | $55,750 | $26.80 |
| Median | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| 75th percentile | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Average (mean) | $71,990 | $34.61 |
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 | $5,446.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,723.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,513.85 |
| Weekly | $1,256.92 |
| Hourly | $31.42 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $91,820 | $44.15 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Management Analyst | $93,150 | $44.78 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,970 | $29.79 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Compliance Officer | $65,780 | $31.63 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Cost Estimator | $75,720 | $36.41 |
| Logistician | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Fundraiser | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,960 | $31.23 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $48,810 | $23.47 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $65,360 a year, or $31.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $104,750 a year. The top 25% earn $83,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,240 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $55,750 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 1,130 human resources specialists are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.