Human Resources Specialist salary in District of Columbia
Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia earn a median of $110,970 a year ($53.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,330 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $75,940. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 51 states for human resources specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 9.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $116,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| 25th percentile | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| Median | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| 75th percentile | $148,700 | $71.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,330 | $81.89 |
| Average (mean) | $116,020 | $55.78 |
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 | $9,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,623.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,268.08 |
| Weekly | $2,134.04 |
| Hourly | $53.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $110,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Human Resources Specialist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $100,830 | 24,450 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Management Analyst | $126,140 | $60.65 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $98,090 | $47.16 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,900 | $50.43 |
| Compliance Officer | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Fundraiser | $80,840 | $38.87 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $124,090 | $59.66 |
| Logistician | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $86,710 | $41.69 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,730 | $39.77 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $115,600 | $55.58 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for human resources specialists in District of Columbia is $110,970 a year, or $53.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in District of Columbia earn at least $170,330 a year. The top 25% earn $148,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,280 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $82,270 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in District of Columbia?
About 6,910 human resources specialists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.