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HR Program Specialist Salary in California

How much does a HR Program Specialist make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a HR Program Specialist in California is $85,048 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a HR Program Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,484
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,459 to $94,175
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,728
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out HR Program Specialist Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence HR Program Specialist Salaries

A HR Program Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects HR Program Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a HR Program Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $68,638
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $83,146
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,432
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,940
  • Expert (over 8 years): $157,273
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
HR Operations Analyst I less than 1 year $68,638
HR Program Specialist 1-2 years $83,146
HR Operations Analyst III 2-4 years $99,432
HR Operations Analyst IV 5-8 years $133,940
HR Operations Analyst V over 8 years $157,273

How Do HR Program Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract HR Program Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $85,372.
  • California: $85,048.
  • Massachusetts: $83,914.

Top Paying Cities for HR Program Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $85,194
  • West Hollywood: $85,133
  • Dodgertown: $85,194

HR Program Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For HR Program Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 37% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, HR Program Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HR Program Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a HR Program Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $102,057 $49.0 20%
Financial Services $97,805 $47.0 15%
Internet $95,254 $46.0 12%
Energy & Utilities $93,553 $45.0 10%
Insurance $91,852 $44.0 8%

HR Program Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a HR Program Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$75,459
Average $85,048/year
$94,175
$6,288
Average $7,087/month
$7,848
$1,451
Average $1,636/week
$1,811
$36
Average $41/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $94,175 $7,848 $1,811 $45
Average $85,048 $7,087 $1,636 $41
25th Percentile $75,459 $6,288 $1,451 $36

Find Your Next HR Program Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current HR Program Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Rose Care Group Inc | San Luis Obispo, CA

    HR Specialist

    Rose Care Group Inc | San Luis Obispo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Job Summary. The HR Specialist plays a key support role within the Human Resources department, providing day... more

    9 Days Ago

  • RBT Technologies California | City of Industry, CA

    HR Specialist

    RBT Technologies California | City of Industry, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking an HR Specialist. to join our team. You will perform activities in human resources from recruiting new hir... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Tredence Inc. | San Jose, CA

    HR Specialist

    Tredence Inc. | San Jose, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join Tredence Inc. as an HR Specialist in San Jose, CA. Are you ready to kickstart your career in Human Resources. At Tre... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Foxconn Industrial Internet - FII | San Jose, CA

    HR Specialist

    Foxconn Industrial Internet - FII | San Jose, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Description: . The HR Specialist (Training) is responsible for designing, delivering, and evaluating training program... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Hope The Mission | Los Angeles, CA

    HR Specialist

    Hope The Mission | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Hope Mission Statement. The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homeless... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Space Kinetic | El Segundo, CA

    HR Development Program

    Space Kinetic | El Segundo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. A New Paradigm For Space Operations. Who We Are.  . Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a compl... more

    10 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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