Human Resources Specialists Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $114,080 +56.5% vs national
Median hourly $54.85
10th percentile $65,500
90th percentile $192,380
Employed locally 9,350
National median $72,910

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Human Resources Specialists
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,500
    25th
    $81,920
    50th (median)
    $114,080
    75th
    $152,600
    90th
    $192,380

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Human Resources Specialists salary vs area income 72% Median Human Resources Specialists salary is 28% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Human Resources Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $102,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,600
    Lexington Park, MD $97,490
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $97,340
    Parkersburg-Vienna, WV $89,860
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $88,050

    Nearby metros — Human Resources Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,600
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $83,930
    California $81,810
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $81,280
    Vallejo, CA $80,830
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $79,910

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other $106,680
    Accountants and Auditors $121,630
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $139,140
    Management Analysts $141,150
    Project Management Specialists $136,250
    Financial and Investment Analysts $134,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Human Resources Specialists make per hour in San Jose?

    The median hourly wage for Human Resources Specialists in San Jose, CA is $54.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $89.70 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose above or below average for Human Resources Specialists salaries?

    The median Human Resources Specialists salary in San Jose, CA is 56.5% above the national median of $72,910. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Human Resources Specialists in San Jose?

    Entry-level Human Resources Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $65,500 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $81,920.