Expert HR Specialist salary in Seattle, WA
Based on 33 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Bellevue, Redmond, Everett, Kent, Maple Valley.
Also listed as: Recruiter
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $116,938 |
| 25th | $116,938 |
| 50th (median) | $130,000 |
| 75th | $145,255 |
| 90th | $156,960 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2022 | $115,250 | $108,386 | $153,750 | 10 |
| FY2023 | – | – | – | 3 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2025 | $130,000 | $119,879 | $136,042 | 11 |
| FY2026 | $130,000 | $116,938 | $147,314 | 22 |
Cost of living
Seattle's median expert HR Specialist salary of $130,000 is worth about $117,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Seattle = 111.1).
Compared with all workers here
All Human Resources Specialists in the Seattle, WA area earned a median of $92,770 in May 2025 (14,120 employed). The H-1B median here is $130,000, 40% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $65,200 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $97,150 | 34 |
| Senior · Level III | $110,000 | 33 |
| Expert · Level IV | $130,000 | 33 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $62,400 | $65,200 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $80,579 | $97,150 | 34 |
| Senior · Level III | $98,758 | $110,000 | 33 |
| Expert · Level IV | $116,938 | $130,000 | 33 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.