Recruiter Salary in 2026
Recruiters source, screen, and hire candidates for open positions, managing the full recruitment lifecycle. They partner with hiring managers to identify talent and build employer brands.
Median Salary
$63,000
$5,250/mo
Entry Level
$40,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$89,000
experienced
Job Growth
+8%
10-yr outlook
Recruiter Overview
Recruiters source, screen, and hire candidates for open positions, managing the full recruitment lifecycle. They partner with hiring managers to identify talent and build employer brands.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Human Resources
Total Jobs (US)
340K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Human Resources
Hourly Rate
$30.29/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,250
Recruiter Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Recruiter salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Recruiter Salary
$72,000
$6,000/month · $2,769/biweekly · $34.62/hr
Recruiter Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Recruiter field.
Entry-level Recruiters earn around $40,000, while the top 10% earn $103,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Recruiters
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $74,000 | +$11,000 |
| New York | $72,000 | +$9,000 |
| Massachusetts | $71,000 | +$8,000 |
| Illinois | $66,000 | +$3,000 |
| Texas | $62,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Recruiters
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $79,000 | +$16,000 |
| New York | $74,000 | +$11,000 |
| Boston | $71,000 | +$8,000 |
| Chicago | $66,000 | +$3,000 |
| Austin | $65,000 | +$2,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Recruiter Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Recruiter from entry level to expert.
$40,000
0-2 years
$65,000
3-7 years
$89,000
8-14 years
$117,000
15+ years
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Recruiter Salary FAQ
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