Template
This template is for a hands-on HR specialist who runs day-to-day HR at a company of roughly 25 to 150 people. Adjust the scope to match how much HR work you actually have.
Human Resources Specialist
[Company name], [City, Province]
[Full-time / Part-time], [schedule]
About us
[Company name] [one or two sentences on what you do, who your customers are and how big the team is].
What you'll do
- Run hiring from job posting to offer, including Ontario-compliant postings and interview scheduling.
- Onboard and offboard employees, including contracts, payroll setup and required paperwork.
- Keep HR records and the [HR system or spreadsheet] accurate and confidential.
- Answer employee questions about pay, time off, benefits and company policies.
- Keep policies current with the Employment Standards Act, OHSA and the Human Rights Code.
- Support managers with performance conversations, discipline and documentation.
- Coordinate benefits enrolment and changes with [benefits provider].
- Track required training, such as health and safety and workplace harassment.
What you bring
- [2 to 4] years of hands-on HR experience, ideally in a small or mid-sized company.
- Working knowledge of Ontario employment standards and health and safety law.
- CPHR designation, or progress toward it, is an asset.
- Sound judgment with confidential information.
- Clear writing for policies, letters and employee communications.
Pay and benefits
[$XX,000 to $YY,000] per year, plus [benefits, RRSP matching, vacation days, hybrid schedule].
How to apply
Send your resume to [email or application link]. [Add the Ontario disclosures from the builder below if you have 25 or more employees.]
Human resources (HR) pay by province
Hourly wages Job Bank reports for human resources professionals (NOC 11200), with the median converted to a yearly salary at 40 hours a week. Use the median as a starting point for an experienced hire and the low end for entry level.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High | Median, yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $25.48 | $39.90 | $62.02 | $83,000 |
| British Columbia | $27.00 | $43.27 | $57.33 | $90,000 |
| Alberta | $24.23 | $42.31 | $57.00 | $88,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $24.98 | $37.53 | $62.50 | $78,000 |
| Manitoba | $23.00 | $38.94 | $53.00 | $81,000 |
| Quebec | $27.40 | $42.00 | $59.39 | $87,000 |
| New Brunswick | $27.00 | $35.00 | $52.89 | $73,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $26.92 | $37.00 | $56.41 | $77,000 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $27.00 | $39.27 | $57.95 | $82,000 |
| Canada | $26.00 | $40.87 | $59.77 | $85,000 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $28.50 | $39.90 | $60.00 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $27.69 | $40.96 | $63.59 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $27.04 | $40.22 | $62.67 |
| Toronto | $23.10 | $40.87 | $63.46 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $26.05 | $39.01 | $60.59 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $25.05 | $39.44 | $63.59 |
| London | $19.17 | $35.26 | $52.88 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $31.25 | $42.05 | $63.08 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $27.39 | $40.07 | $62.45 |
| Northeast | $27.00 | $40.62 | $62.50 |
| Northwest | $24.73 | $37.84 | $48.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages for NOC 11200, Human resources professionals, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. NOC 11200 covers HR professionals from coordinators to senior advisors, so the range is wide.
Turn it into an Ontario job posting
If you have 25 or more employees, publicly advertised postings in Ontario must include pay, say whether the job is an existing vacancy, and disclose AI screening. Fill this in and copy the result.
With fewer than 25 employees these rules don't apply to you yet, but following them makes your posting more competitive and keeps you ready when you grow.
Ontario rules checkHiring an HR specialist in Ontario: what comes next
The posting is step one. These are the obligations most small businesses run into between the offer and the first few weeks.
- Follow up with everyone you interviewEmployers with 25+ employees must tell interviewed applicants whether the job has been filled within 45 days of their last interview, and keep postings and records for three years.
- Put the offer in a written employment contractA written contract isn't mandatory in Ontario, but without one your termination costs are set by the courts rather than by you. The termination clause is the part to get right.
- Register with WSIB if your industry requires itMost Ontario employers must register within 10 days of hiring their first worker. A few industries are exempt, so check before the start date.
- Collect payroll documentsGet the employee's SIN within three days of their start date, plus federal and Ontario TD1 forms for tax withholding.
- Hand over the Employment Standards posterGive new employees the current "Employment Standards in Ontario" poster within 30 days of their start date.
- Complete health and safety awareness trainingEvery worker needs basic health and safety awareness training as soon as practicable after starting.
- Have written harassment and violence policiesRequired once you regularly have six or more workers, and reviewed every year.
Not sure you need a full-time HR hire?
Our HR team handles policies, contracts, onboarding and employee issues for Ontario employers, with a flat monthly price and no long-term contract.
Questions employers ask
What does an HR specialist do?
An HR specialist runs day-to-day people operations: hiring, onboarding, HR records, policies, employee questions and compliance with employment law.
How much does an HR specialist make in Ontario?
Job Bank reports $25.48 (low), $39.90 (median) and $62.02 (high) per hour for human resources professionals in Ontario, and a median of $40.87 in the Toronto region (reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025). The Ontario median is about $83,000 a year at 40 hours a week. Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.95 per hour as of October 1, 2026.
What is the NOC code for an HR specialist?
The National Occupational Classification code for this role is NOC 11200, Human resources professionals (TEER 1). Use the code that matches the actual duties. NOC 11200 covers HR professionals from coordinators to senior advisors, so the range is wide.
Do I have to include pay in an Ontario job posting?
Yes, if you have 25 or more employees. Since January 1, 2026, publicly advertised postings must include the expected pay or a range no wider than $50,000. They must also say whether the posting is for an existing vacancy and disclose if AI is used to screen, assess or select applicants, and they can't require Canadian work experience.
Which HR role should a small business hire first?
Most companies under about 100 employees start with an HR generalist, or with an outside HR service, before hiring an HR manager. A manager makes sense once there is a team to lead or a heavy employee relations load.
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- Job Bank wages, NOC 11200
- Ontario minimum wage
- Your guide to the Employment Standards Act (Ontario)
- National Occupational Classification
This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official sources before you post.