How much does an HR assistant make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical HR assistant in the United States makes $50,610 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They update employee records, sort hiring and leave paperwork, and answer workers’ questions about benefits or rules. They may set up new-hire orientations and use calls, email, and HR software to keep information organized.
Did you know? O*NET reports that 93% of surveyed U.S. HR assistants have telephone conversations every day—so the job is much more people-facing than paperwork alone suggests.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,340 and $68,280How do you become one?
In the U.S., some start with high school and related work experience; an associate or bachelor’s degree in HR or business can help. Learn on the job; optional HR credentials involve exams, and O*NET lists a related registered apprenticeship.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, HR assistants with more experience or useful HR credentials may earn more. Pay can also differ by location, employer industry, and how complex the duties are, such as recruiting or benefits work versus basic recordkeeping.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($59,050), lowest in Alabama ($42,140).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,340 | $50,610 | $68,280 | about 90,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,050 | about 610 |
| California | $57,590 | about 11,000 |
| Washington | $57,390 | about 2,000 |
| Maryland | $56,880 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $55,840 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4161.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/43-4161.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
- www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/how-to-get-entry-level-job-hr
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY