Electrical Engineers vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $39,000 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 53.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electrical Engineers earns $175,460 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electrical Engineers | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $74,670 | $45,440 | +$29,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,590 | $55,870 | +$31,720 |
| Median (50th) | $111,910 | $72,910 | +$39,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,630 | $97,270 | +$44,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $175,460 | $126,540 | +$48,920 |
| Mean (Average) | $120,980 | $79,730 | +$41,250 |
Employment Numbers
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Electrical Engineers or Human Resources Specialists?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,000 (53.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
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.
How many Electrical Engineers and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Electrical Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electrical Engineers has a median salary of $111,910 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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