What the numbers say
The median Human Resources Specialist in DC earned $102,500 in 2024, about 44% above the US median of $71,137. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread between low and high earners is wide. The 10th percentile starts at $63,320, while the 90th percentile reaches $167,050. Top earners make roughly 2.6 times what entry-level peers do. That kind of range usually reflects a mix of seniority, federal vs. private-sector employment, and specialized HR functions that command a premium in a government-heavy market.
DC's cost of living index sits at 117.7, meaning prices run about 18% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the $102,500 median lands closer to $87,000 in national-dollar terms. The nominal premium narrows, but a meaningful gap over the US median remains.
BLS projects employment for HR Specialists to grow 6.2% between 2024 and 2034, a pace BLS classifies as faster than average. DC's concentration of federal agencies, nonprofits, and policy organizations gives this occupation a stable base of demand that most states do not have in the same form.
Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia 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 $75,060 and $138,580, with a median of $102,500.
Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $75,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $63,463 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $150,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard University | Sr. Immigration Specialist | 1 | $88,000 |
| Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc. | Partner, Talent Acquisition | 1 | $75,000 |
| MCN Build, Inc. | Human Resources Specialist | 1 | $68,000 |
| Opportunity Finance Network | Associate, Human Resources & Operations | 1 | $58,926 |
| White & Case LLP | Manager, Early Careers Legal Recruitment | 1 | $150,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Sr. Immigration Specialist at Howard University$88,000WashingtonDecided Nov 21, 2025I-200-25318-409942
- Partner, Talent Acquisition at Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc.$75,000WashingtonDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25305-356003
- Human Resources Specialist at MCN Build, Inc.$68,000WashingtonWage Level IDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-058792
- Associate, Human Resources & Operations at Opportunity Finance Network$58,926Washington, DCWage Level IDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25120-921122
- Manager, Early Careers Legal Recruitment at White & Case LLP$150,000WashingtonWage Level IVDecided Mar 25, 2025I-200-25077-785275
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Human Resources Specialists pay by experience level in District of Columbia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia, by industry
Median offered wage across 4 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $88,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Howard University | 1 | $88,000 |
| Healthcare | Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, Inc. | 1 | $75,000 |
| Finance and insurance | Opportunity Finance Network | 1 | $58,926 |
| Professional services | White & Case LLP | 1 | $150,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
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.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+6.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for human resources specialists in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$97,340
Compare Human Resources Specialists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia is $102,500.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Human Resources Specialists?
- The District of Columbia median is +44.1% versus the BLS national figure of $71,137.
- What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,320 and the 90th-percentile at $167,050, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Human Resources Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 6.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- 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. Wage data reflects BLS estimates 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.