Human Resources Specialists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$52,770
- 25th Percentile — Junior$66,060
- 50th Percentile — Median$83,500
- 75th Percentile — Senior$117,430
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$151,410
Half of Human Resources Specialists in California earn more than $83,500. The top 10% make $151,410 or more, while entry-level workers start around $52,770.
Human Resources Specialists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Human Resources Specialists pay, at $95,180 per year (16.1% above the U.S. average of $81,990).
- 104,000 people work as Human Resources Specialists in California — 11.4% of all U.S. Human Resources Specialists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.97: Human Resources Specialists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $52,770; the top 10% earn over $151,410.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.76 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $116,020.
- Among business jobs in California, Personal Financial Advisors pays the most ($170,070).
Human Resources Specialists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Human Resources Specialists here earn $95,180 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $95,180 is roughly equivalent to $67,028 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($116,020), Massachusetts ($95,400), New York ($95,040) are the closest alternatives for Human Resources Specialists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Business Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Personal Financial Advisors $170,070/yr California +78.7% vs this role
- Financial and Investment Analysts $125,070/yr California +31.4% vs this role
- Project Management Specialists $124,430/yr California +30.7% vs this role
- Financial Examiners $118,710/yr California +24.7% vs this role
- Management Analysts $115,720/yr California +21.6% vs this role
- Credit Analysts $113,670/yr California +19.4% vs this role
- Market Research Analysts $108,120/yr California +13.6% vs this role
- Budget Analysts $105,890/yr California +11.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Human Resources Specialists salary in California?
The average Human Resources Specialists salary in California is $95,180 per year (median $83,500), which is 16.1% above the national average of $81,990.
How does California rank for Human Resources Specialists pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($116,020/yr).
How much do entry-level Human Resources Specialists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Human Resources Specialists in California earn about $52,770 per year and the 25th percentile is $66,060.
How much do Human Resources Specialists make per hour in California?
About $45.76 per hour, based on the $95,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Human Resources Specialists work in California?
BLS counts 104,000 Human Resources Specialists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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