Human Resources Specialist in Coral Springs, FL

The Salary Picture: Where Coral Springs Stands

As a career analyst who’s watched the South Florida job market for years, I can tell you that Coral Springs offers a competitive but nuanced salary landscape for Human Resources Specialists. The city isn't a tech hub like Miami or a government center like Tallahassee, but it has a stable, community-focused economy that values experienced HR professionals. The median salary for an Human Resources Specialist in Coral Springs is $70,044/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.67/hour. This is a solid figure for the region, sitting $2,394 above the national average of $67,650/year.

What does this mean in practice? It means you’re paid well for the cost of living, but you aren’t pulling in the "Miami money" you might read about. The job market here is more about steady, long-term employment than rapid-fire startups. With 269 jobs currently listed in the metro area and a respectable 10-year job growth projection of 8%, the outlook is stable. For an HR Specialist, this translates to opportunities in healthcare, education, and local government—sectors that always need people operations support.

To understand where you fit in, here’s a breakdown by experience level. These are estimated ranges based on local job postings and market data, as Coral Springs doesn’t have a massive HR talent pool to skew averages wildly.

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range (Annual)	Typical Role in Coral Springs
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$52,000 - $62,000	HR Assistant, Coordinator
Mid-Level (3-5 yrs)	$65,000 - $78,000	HR Specialist, Generalist
Senior (6-10 yrs)	$80,000 - $95,000	Senior HR Specialist, HR Business Partner
Expert (10+ yrs)	$98,000+	HR Manager, Director of HR

Compared to other Florida cities, Coral Springs holds its own. It’s more affordable than Miami (where the median HR salary might be higher, but rent is 40% more) and more lucrative than Jacksonville, where salaries are similar but the cost of living is lower. For a specialist with 5-7 years of experience, hitting the mid-level $65,000 to $78,000 range is realistic and provides a comfortable lifestyle.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be brutally practical. Your salary isn’t just a number on a contract; it’s what you have left after government takes its cut and your landlord collects their share. Using the median salary of $70,044, here’s a realistic monthly breakdown for a single person with no dependents, filing as "Single" for federal taxes (a common scenario for many specialists).

• Gross Monthly Pay: $5,837
• Federal Tax (Est. 22% bracket): -$1,284
• FICA (7.65%): -$446
• Florida State Tax: $0 (A major perk!)
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$4,107

Now, let’s layer in the average 1BR rent of $1,621/month. That leaves you with $2,486 for all other expenses—utilities, car insurance (which can be steep in Florida), groceries, health insurance, savings, and leisure.

Can they afford to buy a home? It’s a tough question. The median home price in Coral Springs is approximately $425,000. A 20% down payment is $85,000. On a $70,044 salary, a lender might approve a mortgage payment around $1,900/month (including taxes and insurance), but that’s at the very top of a comfortable budget. For a specialist earning at the median, buying alone is a stretch. It’s more feasible for a senior specialist earning $85,000+ or for a dual-income household. Insider Tip: Many locals buy in neighboring Margate or Lauderhill where prices are lower, but you sacrifice on school districts and neighborhood amenities. If homeownership is the goal, plan to rent for 2-3 years, save aggressively, and aim for a promotion.

Where the Jobs Are: Coral Springs's Major Employers

Coral Springs isn’t a corporate HQ city, but it’s home to a handful of major employers that anchor the local economy. HR Specialists are critical here because these organizations are often large enough to need dedicated people operations staff but small enough that you can see your impact.

1. Coral Springs Medical Center (a part of Broward Health): This is the city’s largest healthcare employer. They hire HR Specialists for everything from credentialing and staffing to employee relations. The trend here is a push for better retention and recruiting in the highly competitive South Florida healthcare market.
2. The School District of Broward County: While the district headquarters is in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs is home to several major high schools (e.g., Coral Springs High School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas) and middle schools that require local HR support for staff. Hiring is stable, with periodic needs for specialists who understand Florida’s public sector employment laws.
3. Coral Springs City Hall: The municipal government is a steady employer. They need HR for their own staff (police, fire, admin) and manage complex labor unions. It’s a great place for someone who wants to dive deep into public sector HR and Florida’s "Right-to-Work" environment.
4. Waste Management, Inc. (Corporate Offices): While not headquartered in Coral Springs, their massive regional office employs a significant number of people in logistics and operations. They have a dedicated HR team and often post for specialists focused on industrial relations and safety compliance.
5. Regional Hospital Systems (e.g., Memorial Healthcare System): These systems often have satellite clinics or offices in the Coral Springs area, creating demand for HR professionals who can manage decentralized workforces.
6. Retail & Hospitality Chains: While not "major" employers in the traditional sense, large chains like Publix (headquartered in Lakeland but with massive regional presence) and popular hotel chains along the I-95 corridor have regional HR needs. This is where you find contract or project-based work.
7. Small Business Hubs: Coral Springs has a thriving small business community, particularly in the downtown area and along University Drive. These companies often outsource HR but are starting to hire in-house as they grow, offering a path for a specialist to build a department from the ground up.

Hiring Trend Insight: The post-pandemic era has seen a shift here. Employers are less focused on firefighting and more on building compliant, engaging workplaces. There’s a growing demand for HR Specialists with experience in remote work policies, mental health benefits, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives—even in a traditionally conservative market.

Getting Licensed in FL

Florida does not require HR Specialists to be licensed, unlike some states that require a PHR (Professional in Human Resources) or SHRM-CP to hold certain titles. However, for competitive edge, certification is highly recommended.

• State-Specific Requirements: None for the "Specialist" title. However, if you move into a role like a "Licensed Insurance Agent" (for benefits) or a "Notary Public" (often useful in HR), you’d need separate Florida certifications.
• Recommended Certifications: The most respected are SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management) and PHR (HRCI). The exams cost between $300-$500, and study materials are an additional $200-$600. There are no state-specific modules, so you can study for these nationally recognized exams from anywhere.
• Timeline to Get Started: If you don’t have a certification, it’s never too late. You can sit for the exam within 3-6 months of dedicated study. Many employers in Coral Springs, especially in healthcare and government, value these certifications and may offer a salary premium of $5,000-$10,000 for certified specialists.
• Insider Tip: The Florida Chapter of SHRM (SHRM Florida) has active local groups. Attending a meeting in Fort Lauderdale or Miami is the best way to network and learn about unadvertised local job trends.

Best Neighborhoods for Human Resources Specialists

Where you live in Coral Springs drastically affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. As a local, I’ve broken down the top areas for HR professionals.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Why It Fits an HR Specialist
Coral Springs (Central)	Family-centric, quiet, close to major employers. Commute to local jobs is 10-15 mins.	$1,550 - $1,750	You’re in the heart of it all. Perfect if you work at the Medical Center or City Hall. Very safe, but can feel sleepy.
Pinehurst (by the Sawgrass Expressway)	Slightly more upscale, newer builds. Easy access to I-95 and the Sawgrass Mills mall area.	$1,700 - $1,900	Great for specialists who might commute to Sunrise (for corporate offices) or want a modern apartment.
The Springs (Gated Community)	Rent is higher here, but includes amenities. Very quiet, secure.	$1,900 - $2,200	Excellent for senior specialists who want a turnkey lifestyle with pools, tennis, and security. The trade-off is a higher rent burden.
Margate (Adjacent City)	More affordable, diverse, and a shorter drive to Fort Lauderdale.	$1,300 - $1,550	Budget-friendly choice. You get a 15-20 minute commute to most Coral Springs jobs for significantly lower rent. The trade-off is older infrastructure.
Parkland (Adjacent City)	Extremely safe, top-tier schools, very residential. Commute can be longer due to winding roads.	$1,800 - $2,100	Ideal for HR specialists with families or those who prioritize school quality. It’s more suburban and less convenient for nightlife.

Commute Insight: Traffic on University Drive and the Sawgrass Expressway can be brutal during rush hour. If you land a job at the Medical Center, living in central Coral Springs or Margate is ideal. If you work from home, you can choose based purely on lifestyle and budget.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Coral Springs is not a "move up in 18 months" city. It’s a "build a 10-year plan" city. Growth is steady and often tied to tenure and specialization.

• Specialty Premiums: Certain niches command higher pay. An HR Specialist with SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification can push into the $85,000+ range. Expertise in Florida labor law compliance (especially for healthcare or manufacturing) is a golden ticket. HRIS (HR Information Systems) specialists who know Workday or Oracle are in high demand and can command a premium.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Specialist → Senior Specialist → HR Manager. The key is to move from a generalist role to a strategic one. This often means getting experience in talent acquisition, compensation & benefits, or employee relations. Another path is to leave Coral Springs for a role in Miami or Fort Lauderdale after 5 years, where salaries can jump 20-30%, and then maybe return later.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 8% job growth is solid. It means the field isn’t shrinking. However, the rise of AI and HR tech means the role of an HR Specialist will evolve. The specialist of 2034 will be less about paperwork and more about data analysis, employee experience design, and strategic consulting. To stay relevant, you’ll need to continuously upskill in tech and soft skills.

The Verdict: Is Coral Springs Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Competitive Salary vs. National Avg: $70,044 is a good starting point.	High Cost of Living Index (111.8): Rent and utilities eat up a larger portion of your income.
Stable Job Market: 269 jobs and 8% growth mean stability.	Limited Diversity in Industries: Heavily reliant on healthcare, education, and government.
No State Income Tax: A significant financial advantage.	Slower Career Pace: Promotions take time; not for those seeking rapid advancement.
Great Family Amenities: Top schools, parks, and a safe community.	Car-Dependent City: Public transit is poor; you need a reliable car.
Central Location: Easy access to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach.	"Boring" Social Scene: Lacks the vibrant nightlife of a major city.

Final Recommendation: Coral Springs is an excellent choice for an HR Specialist who values stability over risk, community over chaos, and work-life balance over a high-stress, high-reward career. It’s ideal for mid-career professionals, those with families, or anyone looking for a stable, long-term home base in South Florida. If you’re a new graduate hungry for the startup scene or a specialist aiming for a C-suite role in 5 years, you might find the pace here too slow. But if you want to build a meaningful career in a supportive environment, Coral Springs is a wise bet.

FAQs

1. Is the job market for HR Specialists competitive in Coral Springs? It’s moderately competitive. With 269 jobs in the metro, there are openings, but they’re not as abundant as in Miami. You’ll need a strong resume, local networking (via SHRM Florida), and often a certification to stand out. Specializing in a niche like healthcare HR or public sector employment gives you a clear edge.

2. How does the cost of living really compare to the salary? While the median salary of $70,044 is above the national average, the Cost of Living Index of 111.8 means you’re paying a premium for housing, transportation, and healthcare. Your money goes less far here than in, say, Atlanta or Austin. Careful budgeting, especially on rent, is non-negotiable.

3. Do I need to be certified to get a job in Coral Springs? No, it’s not legally required. However, for mid-to-senior level roles, SHRM-CP or PHR certification is often a preferred or required qualification by major local employers like the school district and hospital systems. It’s a worthwhile investment that can pay for itself in a year or two through salary increases.

4. What’s the commute really like in Coral Springs? It’s manageable but can be frustrating. Most jobs are within a 10-15 minute drive if you live centrally. However, any trip that requires crossing the Sawgrass Expressway or getting on I-95 during rush hour (7-9 AM, 4-6 PM) can double your commute time. Pro Tip: Use the Waze app religiously; it’s saved countless locals from hours of being stuck in "Sunrise traffic."

5. Can I work remotely as an HR Specialist based in Coral Springs? Absolutely. The remote work trend has hit Coral Springs. Many local companies are open to hybrid models, and you can also apply for remote positions at companies based elsewhere. This gives you the best of both worlds: a Coral Springs address and a potentially higher national salary. Just be sure to understand the tax implications if the employer is out-of-state.