HR Associate Salary in the United States

How much does an HR Associate make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for an HR Associate in the United States is $61,356 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,673
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,890 to $67,803
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,003
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View as table View as graph 25% $54,890 10% $49,003 90% $73,673 75% $67,803 $61,356 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

HR Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $67,803 $5,650 $1,304 $33
Average $61,356 $5,113 $1,180 $29
25th Percentile $54,890 $4,574 $1,056 $26
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Key Factors That Influence HR Associate Salaries

An HR Associate'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 Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an HR Associate'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): $44,293
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,632
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,965
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $106,282
  • Expert (over 8 years): $124,205
Levels Salary
Human Res... Level HR Associate$44,293
Human Res... Level HR Associate$52,632
HR Associ... Level HR Associate$60,965
Human Res... Level HR Associate$106,282
Human Res... Level HR Associate$124,205
$44,293 0 yr
$52,632 < 2 yrs
$60,965 2-4 yrs
$106,282 5-8 yrs
$124,205 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for HR Associates

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: $77,389
  • San Francisco: $76,628
  • Oakland: $74,928

What Skills Can Increase an HR Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.44% 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 3.06% Job Postings): Establishing and managing all interactions with employees to achieve the goals of the organization.
  • Employment Law (Mentioned in 1.42% Job Postings): Applying the knowledge of employment law to regulate relationships between employers and employees.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.44%
Employee Relations 3.06%
Employment Law 1.42%
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 an HR Associate's salary.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Employee Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership
$66,265
8%
Employee Relations
$65,651
7%
Initiative
$64,424
5%
Verbal Communication
$63,810
4%
Benefit Administration
$63,810
4%
Onboarding
$63,810
4%
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How Education impacts an HR Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many HR Associates 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 an HR Associate with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $58,245 and $61,526).

HR Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for HR Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 19.5%
Associates 15.8%
Bachelors 49.9%
Masters 13.8%
Doctorate 0.1%
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HR Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an HR Associate'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 May 18, 2021

Salary Trends for HR Associate

Salaries for an HR Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $52,455 in 2023 to around $52,330 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of HR Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of HR Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$52,455
2024
$52,570
2025
$52,330
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $52,455
2024 $52,570
2025 $52,330
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for HR Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for HR Associate

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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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