Human Resources Specialist salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Human Resources Specialists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $80,340 a year ($38.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,730 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is about the same as the New Jersey statewide median of $80,690. There are 5.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| 25th percentile | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Median | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| 75th percentile | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,730 | $61.41 |
| Average (mean) | $86,760 | $41.71 |
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 | $6,695 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,347.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,090 |
| Weekly | $1,545 |
| Hourly | $38.62 |
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 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $77,380 | 430 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $76,700 | 16,000 |
| Vineland, NJ | $74,880 | 200 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $70,040 | 1,720 |
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 Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $89,370 | $42.97 |
| Management Analyst | $102,020 | $49.05 |
| Compliance Officer | $87,970 | $42.29 |
| Project Management Specialist | $113,750 | $54.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $93,060 | $44.74 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| Logistician | $86,810 | $41.74 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,730 | $39.78 |
| Fundraiser | $83,830 | $40.30 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $77,010 | $37.02 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $80,340 a year, or $38.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $127,730 a year. The top 25% earn $102,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,890 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $63,080 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 1,400 human resources specialists are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.