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HR Admin Salary in the United States

How much does a HR Admin make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a HR Admin in the United States is $59,158 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,971
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,508 to $64,818
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,454
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence HR Admin Salaries

A HR Admin'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 HR Admin Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a HR Admin'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-Level (less than 1 year): $58,741
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,971
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $89,479
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $107,934
  • Expert (over 8 years): $105,132
Levels Salary
HR Admin Level HR Admin$58,741
Human Res... Level HR Admin$72,971
Human Res... Level HR Admin$89,479
Human Res... Level HR Admin$107,934
Human Res... Level HR Admin$105,132
View as Graph

How Do HR Admin 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 HR Admins. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $65,499.
  • California: $65,251.
  • Massachusetts: $64,381.

Top Paying Cities for HR Admins

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: $74,615
  • San Francisco: $73,798
  • Oakland: $72,243

What Skills Can Increase a HR Admin's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.42% 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 3.43% Job Postings): Applying the knowledge of employment law to regulate relationships between employers and employees.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.45% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.42%
Employment Law 3.43%
PowerPoint 1.45%
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 HR Admin's salary.

  • Workforce Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Resource Management: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Talent Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Workforce Planning $71,581
21%
Resource Management $70,397
19%
Talent Management $67,440
14%
Get Latest Data

HR Admin Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For HR Admin roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, HR Admin positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HR Admin as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a HR Admin

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$88,736$43.050%
Energy & Utilities$70,989$34.020%
Software & Networking$70,989$34.020%
Biotechnology$65,073$31.010%
Financial Services$65,073$31.010%

How Education impacts a HR Admin's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many HR Admins 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 a HR Admin with a Associate's Degree is between $60,569 and $64,386).

HR Admin Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for HR Admin
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 11.1%
Associates 7.9%
Bachelors 57.7%
Masters 22.5%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

HR Admin Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a HR Admin'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
$52,508
Average $59,158/year
$64,818
$4,376
Average $4,930/month
$5,401
$1,010
Average $1,138/week
$1,246
$25
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,818 $5,401 $1,246 $31
Average $59,158 $4,930 $1,138 $28
25th Percentile $52,508 $4,376 $1,010 $25

Most common benefits for HR Admin

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

Common company salaries for HR Admin

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

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FAQ about HR Admin

1. What industry pays the highest salary for HR Admin?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for HR Admin roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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