The median annual wage of human resources specialists was $52,690 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,050, and the top 10 percent earned more than $93,260.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of human resources specialists in May 2010 were:
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $77,370 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 58,220 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 48,660 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 44,810 |
| Employment services | 43,770 |
Many human resources specialists, particularly recruiters, travel extensively to attend job fairs, visit college campuses, and meet with applicants. Most work full time.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition