Human Resources Specialist Salary in Sacramento, CA
Human Resources Specialists in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $80,950 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,427 take-home, or $5,119 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Sacramento, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,979
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,019
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,174
- California income tax$3,299
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,052
- Take-home pay$61,427
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 Sacramento, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 | $41,583 | $3,465 |
| 25th percentile | $64,660 | $31.09 | $51,333 | $4,278 |
| Median (50th) | $80,950 | $38.92 | $61,427 | $5,119 |
| 75th percentile | $104,650 | $50.31 | $75,588 | $6,299 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,290 | $63.60 | $91,893 | $7,658 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,950 buys in Sacramento, CA
Prices in Sacramento, CA are 6.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.30× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $61,427 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,586 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 Sacramento, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Sacramento, CA ranks #46 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 |
| 46 | Sacramento, CA | $80,950 | $61,427 | $57,586 |
*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
- Riverside, CA — $76,570
- San Diego, CA — $81,300
- Los Angeles, CA — $80,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Sacramento, CA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $80,950 a year, or about $38.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,660 and $104,650.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Sacramento, CA?
On the median $80,950 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $61,427 a year ($5,119 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,351 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 6.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,586 would in a typical U.S. city. Sacramento, CA ranks #46 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sacramento, CA is $1,812 a month ($2,241 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Sacramento, CA
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- Compliance Officer — $95,220
- Accountant and Auditor — $92,110
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $87,910
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $84,290
- Management Analyst — $82,990
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $78,630
- Training and Development Specialist — $76,180
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents — $67,610