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Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Talent Acquisition Specialist I in the United States is $59,681 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,775
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,390 to $62,871
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,662
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salaries

A Talent Acquisition 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 Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Talent Acquisition 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:

  • Talent Acquisition Specialist I (0-2 years): $59,681
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist II (2-4 years): $74,807
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist III (4-7 years): $90,003
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist IV (7+ years): $114,659
  • Talent Acquisition Manager (7+ years): $113,638
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Talent Acquisition Specialist I0-2 years$59,681
Talent Acquisition Specialist II2-4 years$74,807
Talent Acquisition Specialist III4-7 years$90,003
Talent Acquisition Specialist IV7+ years$114,659
Talent Acquisition Manager7+ years$113,638
View as Graph

How Do Talent Acquisition Specialist Is 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 Talent Acquisition Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $66,079.
  • California: $65,828.
  • Massachusetts: $64,951.

Top Paying Cities for Talent Acquisition Specialist I

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: $75,276
  • San Francisco: $74,451
  • Oakland: $72,882

What Skills Can Increase a Talent Acquisition Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Interviewing (Mentioned in 4.58% Job Postings): The ability and process of conducting a conversation to gather information to facilitate all kinds of decision-making.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • HRIS (Mentioned in 1.08% 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 4.58%
Microsoft Office 2.25%
HRIS 1.08%
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 Talent Acquisition Specialist I's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Technical Recruiting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $62,665
5%
Technical Recruiting $62,665
5%
Presentation $62,665
5%
Get Latest Data

Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Talent Acquisition Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,809. While startup companies pay approximate $56,519.

Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $56,519
Growth Stage 51~500 $59,776
Established 501~5000 $64,516
Enterprise 5000+ $66,809

Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Talent Acquisition Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Chemicals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Talent Acquisition Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Talent Acquisition Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Talent Acquisition Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$74,601$36.025%
Chemicals$71,617$34.020%
Telecom$71,617$34.020%
Energy & Utilities$68,633$33.015%
Aerospace & Defense$65,649$32.010%

Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Talent Acquisition 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 August 01, 2026
$53,390
Average $59,681/year
$62,871
$4,449
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 $62,871 $5,239 $1,209 $30
Average $59,681 $4,973 $1,148 $29
25th Percentile $53,390 $4,449 $1,027 $26

Talent Acquisition Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Talent Acquisition Specialist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Talent Acquisition Specialist 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 $110,009 84%
Campus Recruiter $76,398 28%
Legal Recruiter $112,765 89%
Physician Recruiter $74,807 25%

Most common benefits for Talent Acquisition Specialist I

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

Common company salaries for Talent Acquisition Specialist I

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

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FAQ about Talent Acquisition Specialist I

1. Where can a Talent Acquisition Specialist I earn the most?

A Talent Acquisition Specialist 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 Talent Acquisition Specialist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Talent Acquisition Specialist I is $75,276.

2. What is the highest pay for Talent Acquisition Specialist I?

The highest pay for Talent Acquisition Specialist I is $65,775.

3. What is the lowest pay for Talent Acquisition Specialist I?

The lowest pay for Talent Acquisition Specialist I is $47,662.

4. What are the responsibilities of Talent Acquisition Specialist I?

Strategically and proactively sources passive and active candidates to build and maintain a quality talent pipeline for current and future workforce needs. Understands external labor market conditions. Leverages effective, economical, and appropriate sources/channels and methods. Builds and maintains relationships with potential candidates, recruitment agencies, schools, and associations. Reviews resumes and contacts candidates to ascertain fit and interest and refers to hiring managers as appropriate. Extends offers and negotiates compensation. May participate in onboarding and facilitate new employee orientation. May require a bachelor's degree. 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 Talent Acquisition Specialist I?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Talent Acquisition Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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