Human Resources Specialist Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Human Resources Specialists in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $80,220 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,991 take-home, or $5,083 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,818
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,974
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,163
- California income tax$3,231
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,043
- Take-home pay$60,991
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,730 | $24.87 | $41,919 | $3,493 |
| 25th percentile | $63,410 | $30.49 | $50,445 | $4,204 |
| Median (50th) | $80,220 | $38.57 | $60,991 | $5,083 |
| 75th percentile | $105,560 | $50.75 | $76,132 | $6,344 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,130 | $64.49 | $92,956 | $7,746 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,220 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $60,991 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,705 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #61 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 61 | Los Angeles, CA | $80,220 | $60,991 | $53,705 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
About the job: human resources specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $112,140
- San Francisco, CA — $103,140
- Sacramento, CA — $80,950
- Riverside, CA — $76,570
- San Diego, CA — $81,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $80,220 a year, or about $38.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,410 and $105,560.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $80,220 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $60,991 a year ($5,083 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,274 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,705 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #61 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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