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

HR Specialist Salary in Washington

Median Annual in Washington
$84,550/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$40.65/hr
▲ 11% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Washington

groups Employed in WA
22,770
public U.S. Median
$75,940
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$79,009 #9 of 51

HR Specialist pay in Washington, explained

Human resources specialists in Washington earn a median of $84,550 per year ($40.65 per hour), which is 11% above the national median of $75,940. Entry-level workers earn around $57,030, while the most experienced human resources specialists reach about $136,070. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Washington.

Is $84,550 good pay in Washington?

Adjusted for Washington's cost of living (which runs 107% of the U.S. average), that $84,550 is worth about $79,009 in national buying power — ranking Washington #9 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

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HR Specialist pay by experience in Washington

Entry level (10th pct)
$57,030
$27.42/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$84,550
$40.65/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$136,070
$65.42/hr

HR Specialist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs WA
Washington (here) $84,550 $79,009
Oregon $78,060 $75,522 +$6,490
Idaho $64,990 $68,057 +$19,560

HR Specialist in Washington: FAQ

How much do human resources specialists make in Washington?

Human resources specialists in Washington earn a median of $84,550 per year ($40.65 per hour), compared with $75,940 nationally.

Does Washington pay human resources specialists well?

At $84,550, Washington pays 11% above the national median for human resources specialists. An estimated 22,770 work in the state.

HR Specialist salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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