Human Resources Specialist salary in State College, PA
Human Resources Specialists in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $64,220 a year ($30.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,210 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 9% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $70,450. There are 3.7 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $69,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| 25th percentile | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| Median | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| 75th percentile | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,210 | $48.18 |
| Average (mean) | $69,190 | $33.27 |
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 | $5,351.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,675.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,470 |
| Weekly | $1,235 |
| Hourly | $30.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in 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 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $65,260 | 6,280 |
| 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 State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $81,820 | $39.34 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Management Analyst | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Compliance Officer | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $70,560 | $33.92 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $62,390 | $29.99 |
| Cost Estimator | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,820 | $32.61 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $103,460 | $49.74 |
| Fundraiser | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,040 | $35.11 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $98,410 | $47.31 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in State College, 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 State College, PA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the State College, PA metro area is $64,220 a year, or $30.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $100,210 a year. The top 25% earn $79,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,100 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $52,730 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in State College, PA?
About 260 human resources specialists are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.