Human Resources Specialists vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $27,840 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 38.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$45,440$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $59,830 | $-14,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $76,950 | $-21,080 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $100,750 | $-27,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $131,660 | $-34,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $165,790 | $-39,250 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $108,100 | $-28,370 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Human Resources Specialists or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,840 (38.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Human Resources Specialists and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS