Human Resources Specialist Salary in Reading, PA
Human Resources Specialists in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median $69,410 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,529 take-home, or $4,627 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Reading, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,440
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,303
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,006
- Pennsylvania income tax$2,131
- Take-home pay$55,529
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Reading, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,940 | $22.57 | $38,455 | $3,205 |
| 25th percentile | $56,560 | $27.19 | $45,890 | $3,824 |
| Median (50th) | $69,410 | $33.37 | $55,529 | $4,627 |
| 75th percentile | $83,800 | $40.29 | $65,211 | $5,434 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,510 | $51.21 | $80,490 | $6,707 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,410 buys in Reading, PA
Prices in Reading, PA are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $55,529 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,211 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 Reading, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Reading, PA ranks #130 of 217 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $94,520 | $71,704 | $82,356 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 3 | Davenport, IA | $79,670 | $62,502 | $70,165 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $83,810 | $63,615 | $70,044 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $76,550 | $62,449 | $68,723 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $90,290 | $72,349 | $68,508 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | $61,659 | $68,077 |
| 130 | Reading, PA | $69,410 | $55,529 | $57,211 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 217 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- York, PA — $74,350
- Philadelphia, PA — $76,700
- Harrisburg, PA — $70,140
- Scranton, PA — $65,360
- Allentown, PA — $70,040
- Pittsburgh, PA — $65,260
- Lancaster, PA — $66,330
- Erie, PA — $60,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Reading, PA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Reading, PA metro area is $69,410 a year, or about $33.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,560 and $83,800.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Reading, PA?
On the median $69,410 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $55,529 a year ($4,627 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,131 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Reading, PA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,211 would in a typical U.S. city. Reading, PA ranks #130 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Reading, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Reading, PA is $1,237 a month ($1,575 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
- Project Management Specialist — $98,040
- Management Analyst — $96,260
- Accountant and Auditor — $75,550
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $72,640
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $63,040
- Training and Development Specialist — $54,190