HR specialist pay in Washington, DC
HR specialists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $100,830 a year. The middle half earn $76,070 to $131,510, and the top 10% earn more than $158,940. About 24,450 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Human Resources Specialists, SOC 13-1071).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $60,940 |
| 25th percentile | $76,070 |
| Median (typical) | $100,830 |
| 75th percentile | $131,510 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $158,940 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 3 of 50 large metros for HR specialists before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $100,830, a single filer keeps about $74,200 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $68,100 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 2 of 50 large metros for HR specialists after cost of living.
Where HR specialists’ pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA$112,140 typical · worth $73.8k
- Seattle, WA$92,770 typical · worth $66.7k
- San Francisco, CA$103,140 typical · worth $65.8k
- San Antonio, TX$72,930 typical · worth $63.5k
All 50 metros for HR specialists →
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a hr specialist make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) hr specialist in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $100,830 a year. The middle half earn between $76,070 and $131,510, and the top 10% earn more than $158,940. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a hr specialist in Washington?
Anything above $100,830 pays more than half of HR specialists in Washington. $131,510 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $158,940 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a hr specialist in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $100,830, a single filer keeps about $74,200 a year ($6,180 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $68,100 would in a typical US city.
Where do HR specialists get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical hr specialist pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in San Jose, CA, Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA. Washington, DC ranks No. 2.
More: HR specialist pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.