Human Resources Specialist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Human Resources Specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $92,770 a year ($44.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,960 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 10% higher than the Washington statewide median of $84,550. There are 6.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| 25th percentile | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Median | $92,770 | $44.60 |
| 75th percentile | $124,380 | $59.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,960 | $74.02 |
| Average (mean) | $99,220 | $47.70 |
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 | $7,730.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,865.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,568.08 |
| Weekly | $1,784.04 |
| Hourly | $44.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $90,290 | 710 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $86,700 | 1,410 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $81,290 | 620 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $80,730 | 120 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,100 | 7,610 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $78,800 | 230 |
| Bellingham, WA | $78,160 | 430 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $77,920 | 240 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $75,810 | 190 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $74,430 | 1,370 |
| Yakima, WA | $72,180 | 390 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $66,000 | 110 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Project Management Specialist | $130,380 | $62.68 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Management Analyst | $126,340 | $60.74 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $95,850 | $46.08 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $89,550 | $43.05 |
| Logistician | $108,920 | $52.37 |
| Cost Estimator | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Fundraiser | $80,920 | $38.91 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $69,890 | $33.60 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $85,910 | $41.30 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $119,200 | $57.31 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $92,770 a year, or $44.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $153,960 a year. The top 25% earn $124,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,610 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $73,860 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 14,120 human resources specialists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.