Human Resources Specialist Jobs in California

Human Resources Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, entertainment, healthcare, and professional services across every level from entry-level HR coordinator to senior HR business partner. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, home to major employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Disney, and Salesforce that maintain substantial HR teams year-round. Talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR compliance are the most consistently in-demand specializations across California listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles471+
Top employerTarget
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring188
Work type61% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 471+ Human Resources Specialist jobs

Spectrum
Senior Human Resources Generalist (On
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Spectrum
Added 1d ago
Senior Human Resources Generalist (On
Spectrum
City of Industry, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$82k - $157k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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Spectrum
Senior Human Resources Generalist (On
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Spectrum
Added 1d ago
Senior Human Resources Generalist (On
Spectrum
Garden Grove, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$82k - $157k/yr
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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City and County of San Francisco
Human Resources Director
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City and County of San Francisco
Added 1d ago
Human Resources Director
City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Human Resources
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Compliance & Legal
Compensation & Benefits
Compliance & Risk
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Contra Costa Community College District
Human Resources Specialist
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Contra Costa Community College District
Added 1d ago
Human Resources Specialist
Contra Costa Community College District
Martinez, California
Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
$90k - $110k/yr
Associate's degree in Business Administration
1,001-5,000

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Google
People Partner, Platform Infrastructure and Engineering and Infrastructure Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations
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Google
Added 1d ago
People Partner, Platform Infrastructure and Engineering and Infrastructure Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations
Google
Sunnyvale, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$171k - $247k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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See All 471+ Human Resources Specialist Jobs in California

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Human Resources Specialist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
27 jobs
Irvine
17 jobs
Oakland
11 jobs
Sacramento
11 jobs
Carlsbad
7 jobs
Chino
6 jobs

Human Resources Specialist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Target
    Target24
  • Marriott International
    Marriott International8
  • Talent Xpanse
    Talent Xpanse4
  • T&T Supermarket
    T&T Supermarket4
  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Staffing & Recruiting
  • Technology & Software
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Trucking

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in human resources specialist jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field
  • PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred by many California employers
  • Two or more years of HR generalist or specialist experience in a California workplace
  • Familiarity with California labor law including CFRA, FEHA, and wage-and-hour regulations
  • Proficiency with HRIS platforms such as Workday, ADP, or SAP SuccessFactors
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for employee-facing HR functions

Human Resources Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a human resources specialist in California?

A bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field is the standard starting point for human resources specialist roles in California. California does not require a state-issued license to practice HR, but professional credentials such as the SHRM-CP or PHR are widely expected by mid-size and large employers. Because California has some of the most complex employment laws in the country, hiring managers consistently prioritize candidates who demonstrate working knowledge of FEHA, CFRA, and California wage-and-hour rules.

How much do human resources specialists make in California?

Human resources specialists in California earn a median of about $83,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $52,770 for the lowest 10% to over $151,410 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire human resources specialists in California?

Employers hiring human resources specialists in California right now include Target, Marriott International, and Talent Xpanse, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of large technology firms, healthcare systems, and entertainment studios means HR specialist demand is spread across a particularly wide range of industries.

Which California cities have the most human resources specialist jobs?

Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco have the most human resources specialist openings in California. The distribution closely follows corporate density: Los Angeles draws volume from entertainment, healthcare, and retail headquarters, San Francisco and San Jose reflect the technology sector's ongoing HR hiring, and San Diego adds openings from its biotech and defense industries.

Are there remote human resources specialist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 39% of human resources specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based and systems-driven nature of much HR specialist work. Employee relations coaching, HRIS administration, benefits coordination, and talent acquisition are the functions most likely to be offered on a fully remote or hybrid basis.

How can I get hired as a human resources specialist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an HR coordinator or HR assistant role, which California's large employers including Kaiser Permanente, the University of California system, and major technology firms regularly post as new-grad positions. A SHRM student membership and the SHRM-CP exam, which can be sat before completing a degree, signals commitment to California recruiters. Lateral moves from roles such as recruiting coordinator, payroll administrator, or office manager are common in-roads, particularly at mid-size California companies that treat those positions as on-ramps to broader HR responsibilities.

Where can I find and apply to human resources specialist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to human resources specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.

See All 471+ Human Resources Specialist Jobs in California

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