HR Assistant/Recruiter Salary in the United States

How much does a HR Assistant/Recruiter make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a HR Assistant/Recruiter in the United States is $43,163 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,004
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,539 to $47,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,240

Key Factors That Influence HR Assistant/Recruiter Salaries

A HR Assistant/Recruiter'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 Assistant/Recruiter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a HR Assistant/Recruiter'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): $42,822
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $50,926
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $58,984
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $102,801
  • Expert (over 8 years): $120,158
Levels Salary
HR Assist... Level HR Assistant/Recruiter$42,822
Human Res... Level HR Assistant/Recruiter$50,926
Human Res... Level HR Assistant/Recruiter$58,984
Human Res... Level HR Assistant/Recruiter$102,801
Human Res... Level HR Assistant/Recruiter$120,158

How Do HR Assistant/Recruiter 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 Assistant/Recruiters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $47,790.
  • California: $47,609.
  • Massachusetts: $46,974.

Top Paying Cities for HR Assistant/Recruiters

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: $54,441
  • San Francisco: $53,845
  • Oakland: $52,710

What Skills Can Increase a HR Assistant/Recruiter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.57% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Employee Relations (Mentioned in 3.72% Job Postings): Establishing and managing all interactions with employees to achieve the goals of the organization.
  • Talent Acquisition (Mentioned in 1.6% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.57%
Employee Relations 3.72%
Talent Acquisition 1.6%

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 Assistant/Recruiter's salary.

  • Employment Law: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Business Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employment Law $50,500
17%
Business Administration $49,637
15%
Employee Engagement $48,342
12%

HR Assistant/Recruiter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For HR Assistant/Recruiter roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, HR Assistant/Recruiter positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HR Assistant/Recruiter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a HR Assistant/Recruiter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$51,795$25.020%

How Education impacts a HR Assistant/Recruiter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many HR Assistant/Recruiters enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Assistant/Recruiter with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $43,855 and $46,746).

HR Assistant/Recruiter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for HR Assistant/Recruiter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 18.0%
Associates 12.1%
Bachelors 58.9%
Masters 9.8%
Doctorate 0.2%

HR Assistant/Recruiter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a HR Assistant/Recruiter'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
$39,539
Average $43,163/year
$47,790
$3,295
Average $3,597/month
$3,983
$760
Average $830/week
$919
$19
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $47,790 $3,983 $919 $23
Average $43,163 $3,597 $830 $21
25th Percentile $39,539 $3,295 $760 $19

Most common benefits for HR Assistant/Recruiter

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

Common company salaries for HR Assistant/Recruiter

Here are companies hiring for HR Assistant/Recruiter and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about HR Assistant/Recruiter

1. What industry pays the highest salary for HR Assistant/Recruiter?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for HR Assistant/Recruiter roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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