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Recruiter I Salary in the United States

How much does a Recruiter I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Recruiter I in the United States is $59,678 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,769
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,395 to $62,866
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,675
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Recruiter I Salaries

A Recruiter 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Recruiter I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Recruiter 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:

  • Recruiter I (0-2 years): $59,678
  • Recruiter II (2-4 years): $74,801
  • Recruiter III (4-7 years): $89,999
  • Recruiter IV (7+ years): $114,658
  • Recruiting Supervisor (7+ years): $77,177
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Recruiter I0-2 years$59,678
Recruiter II2-4 years$74,801
Recruiter III4-7 years$89,999
Recruiter IV7+ years$114,658
Recruiting Supervisor7+ years$77,177
View as Graph

How Do Recruiter I 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 Recruiter Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,075.
  • California: $65,825.
  • Massachusetts: $64,948.

Top Paying Cities for Recruiter 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: $75,272
  • San Francisco: $74,448
  • Oakland: $72,879

What Skills Can Increase a Recruiter I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Interviewing (Mentioned in 6.26% Job Postings): The ability and process of conducting a conversation to gather information to facilitate all kinds of decision-making.
  • Full-Cycle Recruiting (Mentioned in 2.98% Job Postings): Full cycle recruiting, also referred to as end-to-end recruiting or full lifecycle recruiting, is a term used to describe the holistic recruitment process, often handled by a single recruiter.
  • HRIS (Mentioned in 1.11% Job Postings): HRIS is a management system designed specifically to provide managers with information to make HR decisions. Is a system that lets you keep track of all your employees and information about them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Interviewing 6.26%
Full-Cycle Recruiting 2.98%
HRIS 1.11%
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 a Recruiter I's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • ATS: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $77,581
30%
Diversity and Inclusion $71,017
19%
ATS $66,839
12%
Get Latest Data

Recruiter I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Recruiter I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,693. While startup companies pay approximate $56,415.

Recruiter I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,415
Growth Stage 51~500 $59,665
Established 501~5000 $64,400
Enterprise 5000+ $66,693

Recruiter I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Recruiter I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Recruiter positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Recruiter I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Recruiter I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$68,630$33.015%
Pharmaceuticals$65,646$32.010%
Software & Networking$65,646$32.010%
Energy & Utilities$64,452$31.08%
Insurance$63,259$30.06%

How Education impacts a Recruiter I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Recruiter I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Recruiter I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $59,292 and $62,877.

Recruiter I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Recruiter I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 10.9%
Associates 7.2%
Bachelors 66.1%
Masters 14.1%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Recruiter I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Recruiter 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 September 01, 2026
$53,395
Average $59,678/year
$62,866
$4,450
Average $4,973/month
$5,239
$1,027
Average $1,148/week
$1,209
$26
Average $29/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,866 $5,239 $1,209 $30
Average $59,678 $4,973 $1,148 $29
25th Percentile $53,395 $4,450 $1,027 $26

Recruiter I Salary Growth & Career Path

Recruiter I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Recruiter I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Executive Recruiter $110,039 84%
Campus Recruiter $76,394 28%
Legal Recruiter $112,798 89%
Physician Recruiter $74,801 25%

Most common benefits for Recruiter I

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

Common company salaries for Recruiter I

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

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FAQ about Recruiter I

1. Where can a Recruiter I earn the most?

A Recruiter I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Recruiter I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Recruiter I is $75,272.

2. What is the highest pay for Recruiter I?

The highest pay for Recruiter I is $65,769.

3. What is the lowest pay for Recruiter I?

The lowest pay for Recruiter I is $47,675.

4. What are the responsibilities of Recruiter I?

Attracts, evaluates, and refers candidates for open positions through recruiting website, employee referrals, on-site recruiting, search firms and other sourcing methods. Develops job advertisements and screens resumes/applications. Contacts candidates to ascertain fit, and schedules interviews. Extends offers and negotiates compensation. Initiates onboarding plan for new hires. Ensures assigned positions are filled efficiently and effectively. May facilitate orientation for new employees and perform exit interviews for employees leaving the organization. May require a bachelor's degree in human resources. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Recruiter I?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Recruiter I roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

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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