Salary distribution
Where San Jose human resources specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,920 and $152,600, with a median of $114,080.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Administrative
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
- 02
Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
- 03
Administer employee benefit plans.
- 04
Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- 05
Schedule or administer skill, intelligence, psychological, or drug tests for current or prospective employees.
- 06
Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
- 07
Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.
- 08
Conduct reference or background checks on job applicants.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Jose metro compares to other major California metro areas for human resources specialists.
- San Francisco$100,600
- Sacramento$79,630
- San Diego$79,370
- Los Angeles$79,330
- Riverside$73,390
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Human Resources Specialists in San Jose, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists in the San Jose metropolitan area is $114,080.
- Does San Jose pay more than the California state average for Human Resources Specialists?
- The San Jose metro median is +39.4% versus the California state median of $81,810.
- How does San Jose compare to the national median for Human Resources Specialists?
- The San Jose metro median is +60.4% versus the BLS national figure of $71,137.
- What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists in San Jose?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,500 and the 90th-percentile at $192,380 for the San Jose metro area.
- What education is required for Human Resources Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Jose CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.