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Hourly Wage for Intermediate HR Generalist Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Intermediate HR Generalist?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Intermediate HR Generalist in the United States is $35, which translates to an annual salary of about $73,213.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31 to $39 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate HR Generalist Salaries

An Intermediate HR Generalist'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Intermediate HR Generalist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate HR Generalist'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:

  • Entry HR Generalist (0-2 years): $58,918
  • Intermediate HR Generalist (2-4 years): $73,191
  • HR Generalist III (4-7 years): $89,748
  • HR Generalist - Project Lead (7+ years): $108,259
  • HR Supervisor (7+ years): $105,448
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry HR Generalist0-2 years$58,918
Intermediate HR Generalist2-4 years$73,191
HR Generalist III4-7 years$89,748
HR Generalist - Project Lead7+ years$108,259
HR Supervisor7+ years$105,448
View as Graph

How Do Intermediate HR Generalist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate HR Generalists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $81,053.
  • California: $80,743.
  • Massachusetts: $79,673.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate HR Generalists

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: $92,333
  • San Francisco: $91,323
  • Oakland: $89,403

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate HR Generalist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.97% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Employment Law (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): Applying the knowledge of employment law to regulate relationships between employers and employees.
  • Administrative Support (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Administrative support means technical assistance, studies, surveys, or securing volunteers to assist the department in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 3.97%
Employment Law 3.07%
Administrative Support 1.82%
See More Skills

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 an Intermediate HR Generalist's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $78,338
7%
Team Management $77,606
6%
Leadership $76,874
5%
Get Latest Data

Intermediate HR Generalist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Intermediate HR Generalist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,819. While startup companies pay approximate $69,210.

Intermediate HR Generalist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $69,210
Growth Stage 51~500 $73,197
Established 501~5000 $79,006
Enterprise 5000+ $81,819

Intermediate HR Generalist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate HR Generalist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate HR Generalist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate HR Generalist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate HR Generalist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$91,516$44.025%
Energy & Utilities$84,195$40.015%
Financial Services$84,195$40.015%
Internet$84,195$40.015%
Aerospace & Defense$80,534$39.010%

How Education impacts an Intermediate HR Generalist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate HR Generalists enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate HR Generalist with a Associate's Degree is between $73,821 and $77,983).

Intermediate HR Generalist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate HR Generalist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 10.5%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 55.4%
Masters 25.3%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Intermediate HR Generalist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Intermediate HR Generalist'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 September 01, 2026
$65,283
Average $73,213/year
$80,553
$5,440
Average $6,101/month
$6,713
$1,255
Average $1,408/week
$1,549
$31
Average $35/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,553 $6,713 $1,549 $39
Average $73,213 $6,101 $1,408 $35
25th Percentile $65,283 $5,440 $1,255 $31

Most common benefits for Intermediate HR Generalist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Intermediate HR Generalist

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate HR Generalist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate HR Generalist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Intermediate HR Generalist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate HR Generalist roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Why is HR paid so much?

Organizations are increasingly valuing human resources for its strategic role in recruiting, developing, and rewarding talent. This recognition is reflected in the salary data for Intermediate HR Generalists, with a minimum salary of $70,433, a mid-range salary of $77,733, and a maximum salary of $85,983, highlighting the importance and demand for skilled HR professionals.

3. How much do HR generalists make in the US?

As of now, the salary for an Intermediate HR Generalist in the United States ranges from $70,433 to $85,983 annually, with a median salary of $77,733. This translates to approximately $33.83 to $41.29 per hour, or about $1,354 to $1,654 per week.

4. What is the highest salary for HR generalist?

The highest salary for an Intermediate HR Generalist is $85,983. The top 10% of employees in this role can earn significantly more, reflecting the demand and expertise required in the field.

5. Who gets paid more, HR generalist or HR specialist?

The salary data indicates that an Intermediate HR Generalist earns between $70,433 and $85,983, with a mid-salary of $77,733. In comparison, HR specialists typically earn less, making the HR Generalist the higher-paid role.

6. Which HR position pays the most?

The highest-paying HR position is typically the VP of Human Resources, with salaries ranging from USD 271,000 to USD 455,000 and an average of USD 347,500. In comparison, an Intermediate HR Generalist earns between USD 70,433 and USD 85,983, with a mid-salary of USD 77,733, highlighting the significant pay gap within HR roles.

7. What is the highest HR generalist salary?

The highest salary for an Intermediate HR Generalist is $85,983. The salary range for this position typically falls between $70,433 and $85,983, with a mid-point salary of $77,733. This reflects the competitive compensation for HR professionals in this role.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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