Human Resources Specialist salary in Washington
Human Resources Specialists in Washington earn a median of $84,550 a year ($40.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,070 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $75,940. Washington ranks 3rd of 51 states for human resources specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 6.4 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| 25th percentile | $69,200 | $33.27 |
| Median | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| 75th percentile | $110,550 | $53.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,070 | $65.42 |
| Average (mean) | $94,000 | $45.19 |
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 | $7,045.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,522.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,251.92 |
| Weekly | $1,625.96 |
| Hourly | $40.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,770 | 14,120 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Project Management Specialist | $124,160 | $59.69 |
| Management Analyst | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $95,120 | $45.73 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Compliance Officer | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Cost Estimator | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Logistician | $107,250 | $51.56 |
| Fundraiser | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $65,530 | $31.50 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,100 | $50.05 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Washington is $84,550 a year, or $40.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Washington?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Washington earn at least $136,070 a year. The top 25% earn $110,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,030 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $69,200 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Washington?
About 22,770 human resources specialists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.