verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

HR Specialist Salary in District of Columbia

Median Annual in District of Columbia
$110,970/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$53.35/hr
▲ 46% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in District of Columbia

groups Employed in DC
6,910
public U.S. Median
$75,940
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$100,973 #1 of 51

HR Specialist pay in District of Columbia, explained

Human resources specialists in District of Columbia earn a median of $110,970 per year ($53.35 per hour), which is 46% above the national median of $75,940. Entry-level workers earn around $65,280, while the most experienced human resources specialists reach about $170,330. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within District of Columbia.

Is $110,970 good pay in District of Columbia?

Adjusted for District of Columbia's cost of living (which runs 110% of the U.S. average), that $110,970 is worth about $100,973 in national buying power — ranking District of Columbia #1 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

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HR Specialist pay by experience in District of Columbia

Entry level (10th pct)
$65,280
$31.38/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$110,970
$53.35/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$170,330
$81.89/hr

HR Specialist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs DC
District of Columbia (here) $110,970 $100,973
Maryland $83,910 $79,946 +$27,060
Virginia $82,090 $81,194 +$28,880

HR Specialist in District of Columbia: FAQ

How much do human resources specialists make in District of Columbia?

Human resources specialists in District of Columbia earn a median of $110,970 per year ($53.35 per hour), compared with $75,940 nationally.

Does District of Columbia pay human resources specialists well?

At $110,970, District of Columbia pays 46% above the national median for human resources specialists. An estimated 6,910 work in the state.

HR Specialist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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