HR Generalist hourly rate
A senior HR Generalist typically receives $55 an hour as a part-time contractor in the United States, against a market median wage of $36.77. Below: percentiles and rates for every country we cover, by level and format.
HR Generalist pay in the United States
National wage percentiles for the role. Full United States page.
| Percentile | Per hour | 5 h a week, per month | Full time, per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.85 | $500 | $47,500 |
| 25th | $28.38 | $610 | $59,000 |
| Median | $36.77 | $800 | $76,500 |
| 75th | $48.12 | $1,040 | $100,100 |
| 90th | $62.33 | $1,350 | $129,600 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025; aged to October 2026.
HR Generalist rates by country
| Country | 10th | Median wage | 90th | Contractor rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $22.85 | $36.77 | $62.33 | $55 |
| Canada | CA$24.29 | CA$36.79 | CA$58.21 | CA$55 |
| United Kingdom | £14.77 | £17.41 | £24.86 | £25 |
| Austria | €12.93 | €17.02 | €21.06 | €26 |
| Belgium | €13.10 | €19.65 | €24.67 | €32 |
| Bulgaria | €4.20 | €6.23 | €10.33 | €10 |
| Croatia | €6.24 | €8.58 | €11.37 | €14 |
| Cyprus | €7.41 | €10.38 | €19.27 | €16 |
| Czechia | €6.79 | €8.83 | €10.63 | €14 |
| Denmark | €20.78 | €25.38 | €28.08 | €36 |
| Estonia | €6.97 | €10.45 | €13.33 | €16 |
| Finland | €13.48 | €15.51 | €18.01 | €25 |
| France | €11.56 | €14.19 | €18.64 | €21 |
| Germany | €16.49 | €24.11 | €31.80 | €35 |
| Greece | €6.33 | €8.19 | €10.39 | €13 |
| Hungary | €5.39 | €7.71 | €10.94 | €13 |
| Ireland | €15.88 | €21.85 | €36.19 | €36 |
| Italy | €10.24 | €12.25 | €16.96 | €20 |
| Latvia | €5.45 | €8.62 | €12.71 | €14 |
| Lithuania | €6.74 | €9.62 | €13.32 | €16 |
| Luxembourg | €17.13 | €22.43 | €34.24 | €35 |
| Malta | €6.15 | €8.58 | €11.10 | €13 |
| Netherlands | €12.69 | €17.68 | €21.28 | €27 |
| Poland | €7.13 | €9.80 | €14.05 | €14 |
| Portugal | €7.52 | €8.04 | €13.74 | €13 |
| Romania | €4.63 | €6.39 | €10.28 | €10 |
| Slovakia | €5.79 | €7.48 | €9.26 | €11 |
| Slovenia | €9.20 | €11.07 | €14.19 | €17 |
| Spain | €8.57 | €10.82 | €15.22 | €18 |
| Sweden | €14.25 | €15.68 | €16.89 | €23 |
Hourly figures in local currency. Contractor rate is the typical Deftridge rate for a senior HR Generalist in the regular role format.
HR Generalist pay by US state
Typical contractor rate, highest first.
By level and format
United States. A manager earns 1.20 times the senior rate; a one-off task pays a higher hourly rate than a standing role because the work is fixed-scope.
| Level | Per hour |
|---|---|
| Specialist | $45 |
| Senior | $55 |
| Manager | $65 |
Questions about HR Generalist rates
What is the typical hourly rate for an HR Generalist?
In the United States the typical rate for a senior HR Generalist is $55 an hour (market median wage $36.77). Rates vary by country, state and level; the tables above list them.
Is this a salary?
No. The market median is an employee wage for reference. The Deftridge rate is what a part-time contractor in that role receives per hour, before tax.
How does level change the rate?
Levels scale the rate: specialist 0.85, senior 1.00, manager 1.20, director 1.45 and executive 1.75 of the senior rate, inside the country floor and cap.