Entry-level HR Specialist salary in Washington, DC
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Herndon, Arlington, Mclean, Ashburn, Rockville.
Also listed as: Recruiter
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $58,926 |
| 25th | $58,926 |
| 50th (median) | $62,483 |
| 75th | $70,720 |
| 90th | $80,856 |
Cost of living
Washington's median entry-level HR Specialist salary of $62,483 is worth about $57,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Washington = 108.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Human Resources Specialists in the Washington, DC area earned a median of $100,830 in May 2025 (24,450 employed). The H-1B median here is $62,483, 38% lower.
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
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Bowie State University | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $62,483 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $78,208 | 37 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | $142,800 | 12 |
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 | $58,926 | $62,483 | 17 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $78,146 | $78,208 | 37 |
| Expert · Level IV | $121,430 | $142,800 | 12 |
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.