Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania was $66,020 in 2024, about 7% below the US median of $71,137. That gap is real but not dramatic. Pennsylvania's cost of living index sits at 97.4, just under the national baseline, so the nominal shortfall shrinks when you account for what the money actually buys. In purchasing terms the gap is closer to 4%.
The spread between entry-level and senior pay is wide. The 10th percentile landed at $44,370, the 90th at $109,430. Top earners make roughly 2.5 times what those starting out make. That range reflects how much experience, specialization, and the type of employer matter in this occupation. An HR specialist at a large Philadelphia financial services firm and one at a small regional manufacturer are doing related work under the same job title, but the pay looks very different.
The average wage of $74,640 runs $8,600 above the median. A smaller group of higher-paid specialists, likely those in senior generalist or labor relations roles, pull that figure up.
On growth, BLS projects employment in this occupation to expand 6.2% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as faster than average. Pennsylvania's 36,710 employed specialists give the state a solid base, and hiring demand in healthcare, professional services, and higher education, all industries with heavy presence here, has kept openings steady in recent years.
Salary distribution
Where Pennsylvania 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 $56,050 and $90,920, with a median of $70,450.
Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 12 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $78,596. 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 | 1 | $79,191 |
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $62,920 |
| Level III — experienced | 4 | $81,346 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $125,180 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Installation & Maintenance, Inc. | HR Coordinator | 1 | $78,000 |
| AK4 Networks LLC | HR Associate | 1 | $75,525 |
| Cigna-Evernorth Services Inc. | Human Resources Senior Advisor | 1 | $164,247 |
| ECCLESIASTES, INC. | Technical Global Mobility Manager | 1 | $61,547 |
| EMPOWER DATA SOLUTIONS LLC | IT Technical Recruiter | 1 | $65,000 |
| Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | Human Resources Specialists - KBGFJG101502-13 | 1 | $112,505 |
| Fstone Technologies LLC | HR Specialist | 1 | $86,400 |
| Koppers Inc. | Compensation and Benefits Administrator | 1 | $55,349 |
| Oracle Financial Services Software, Inc. | HR Consultant | 1 | $86,112 |
| Reading Hospital | Human Resources Project Coordinator | 1 | $62,920 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- HR Consultant at Oracle Financial Services Software, Inc.$86,112AllentownWage Level IVDecided Mar 24, 2026I-200-26076-708299
- Technical Recruiter at Seven Seas International, LLC$84,691PhiladelphiaWage Level IIIDecided Mar 10, 2026I-200-26062-676317
- Human Resources Senior Advisor at Cigna-Evernorth Services Inc.$164,247PhiladelphiaWage Level IVDecided Sep 17, 2025I-200-25253-299034
- HR Specialist at Fstone Technologies LLC$86,400DoylestownWage Level IIIDecided Aug 21, 2025I-200-25226-243087
- IT Technical Recruiter at EMPOWER DATA SOLUTIONS LLC$65,000FURLONGWage Level IIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25169-104477
- HR Associate at AK4 Networks LLC$75,525MalvernWage Level IIIDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25158-065173
- Technical Global Mobility Manager at ECCLESIASTES, INC.$61,547GLEN MILLSWage Level IIDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-056061
- Client Engagement Manager at Turnberry Solutions Inc$79,191PhiladelphiaWage Level IDecided May 19, 2025I-200-25132-963700
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.
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Human Resources Specialists pay by experience level in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania, by industry
Median offered wage across 11 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $75,525.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | AK4 Networks LLC | 5 | $75,525 |
| Manufacturing | Koppers Inc. | 2 | $70,020 |
| Professional services | Ernst & Young U.S. LLP | 2 | $95,848 |
| Finance and insurance | Cigna-Evernorth Services Inc. | 1 | $164,247 |
| Healthcare | Reading Hospital | 1 | $62,920 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Pennsylvania over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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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Explore coursesTop metros in Pennsylvania
Metro-level salary data for human resources specialists in major Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.
- Philadelphia$76,700
- Pittsburgh$65,260
Compare Human Resources Specialists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Pennsylvania with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania is $70,450.
- How does Pennsylvania compare to the national median for Human Resources Specialists?
- The Pennsylvania median is -5.4% versus the BLS national figure of $74,452.
- What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists in Pennsylvania?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $46,610 and the 90th-percentile at $119,850, 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.