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DEI Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does a DEI Specialist I make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a DEI Specialist I in the United States is $62,713 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a DEI Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $71,444
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,463 to $67,283
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,773
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View as table View as graph 25% $56,463 10% $50,773 90% $71,444 75% $67,283 $62,713 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

DEI Specialist I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $67,283 $5,607 $1,294 $32
Average $62,713 $5,226 $1,206 $30
25th Percentile $56,463 $4,705 $1,086 $27
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Key Factors That Influence DEI Specialist I Salaries

A DEI Specialist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects DEI Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a DEI Specialist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • DEI Specialist I (0-2 years): $62,696
  • Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist II (2-4 years): $80,192
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist III (4-7 years): $92,697
  • Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist IV (7+ years): $123,350
  • Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist V (7-10 years): $151,084
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
DEI Specialist I0-2 years$62,696
Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist II2-4 years$80,192
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist III4-7 years$92,697
Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist IV7+ years$123,350
Diversity Equity & Inclusion Specialist V7-10 years$151,084
$62,696 DEI Speci...
$80,192 Diversity...
$92,697 Equal Emp...
$123,350 Diversity...
$151,084 Diversity...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for DEI Specialist Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,093
  • San Francisco: $78,233
  • Oakland: $76,583

What Skills Can Increase a DEI Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 10.84% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Talent Acquisition (Mentioned in 2.3% Job Postings): Talent acquisition is the process of identifying organizational staffing needs, recruiting qualified candidates and selecting the candidates best suited for the available positions.
  • Internal Communications (Mentioned in 1.02% Job Postings): Internal communications (IC) is the function responsible for effective communications among participants within an organization. The scope of the function varies by organization and practitioner, from producing and delivering messages and campaigns on behalf of management, to facilitating two-way dialogue and developing the communication skills of the organization's participants. Modern understanding of internal communications is a field of its own and draws on the theory and practice of related professions, not least journalism, knowledge management, public relations (e.g., media relations), marketing and human resources, as well as wider organizational studies, communication theory, social psychology, sociology and political science.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 10.84%
Talent Acquisition 2.3%
Internal Communications 1.02%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a DEI Specialist I's salary.
  • Community Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Internal Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Community Engagement
$79,018
26%
Partnering
$74,001
18%
Internal Communications
$72,747
16%
Alignment
$70,239
12%
Project Management
$70,239
12%
PowerPoint
$70,239
12%
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DEI Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a DEI Specialist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

DEI Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a DEI Specialist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Diversity Compliance and Analysis Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,200 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salary Trends for DEI Specialist I

Salaries for a DEI Specialist I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,491 in 2023 to around $61,491 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of DEI Specialist I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of DEI Specialist I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,491
2024
$62,399
2025
$61,491
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,491
2024 $62,399
2025 $61,491
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for DEI Specialist I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for DEI Specialist I

Here are companies hiring for DEI Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about DEI Specialist I

1. How do you become a DEI leader?

To become a DEI leader, one must demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusiveness and fairness. This involves being aware of biases and treating all team members with respect, recognizing their unique contributions. Continuous education on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices is essential. In this role, salaries typically range from $61,963 to $78,423, with a midpoint of $69,863.

2. How much do DE&I leads make?

The estimated total pay for a DEI Specialist ranges from $61,963 to $78,423 per year, with a median salary of $69,863. This reflects the midpoint of the salary range based on collected data, providing a clear picture of compensation in this role.

3. Should DEI be in HR?

DEI is a business strategy, not just an HR strategy. It requires a seat at the executive table and should receive funding and respect comparable to other departments. A successful company, with DEI specialists earning between $61,963 and $78,423, recognizes that success hinges on collaboration across all areas, including marketing, finance, engineering, and HR.”

4. What are the qualifications for DEI officer?

To become a DEI Specialist, pursue education in fields such as human resources, sociology, psychology, education, or business administration. While no specific degree is mandatory, these areas provide essential knowledge. The salary for a DEI Specialist ranges from $61,963 to $78,423, with a midpoint of $69,863, reflecting the role's importance in fostering inclusive environments.

5. What is the downside of DEI?

Diversity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are valuable, yet they face challenges. A significant downside is the tendency of policies to focus primarily on race and gender, often neglecting other diverse groups, such as those with disabilities. This oversight can lead to an incomplete understanding of diversity, impacting the effectiveness of DEI efforts. DEI Specialists typically earn between $61,963 and $78,423 annually.

6. What does a DEI specialist do?

A DEI specialist is a professional who works with organizations to create, implement, and assess strategies that enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The salary for a DEI specialist typically ranges from $61,963 to $78,423, with a median salary of $69,863, reflecting the importance of their role in fostering an inclusive environment.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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