Human Resources Specialist salary in Ames, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $70,060 a year ($33.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,020 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $66,710. There are 4.6 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $75,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| 25th percentile | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Median | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| 75th percentile | $85,800 | $41.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,020 | $50.97 |
| Average (mean) | $75,200 | $36.16 |
Half of human resources specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,919.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,694.62 |
| Weekly | $1,347.31 |
| Hourly | $33.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $79,670 | 1,420 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $71,600 | 2,450 |
| Iowa City, IA | $71,120 | 480 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,390 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,070 | 670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,040 | 280 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,900 | 360 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,840 | 4,330 |
Highest-paying states for human resources specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| Massachusetts | $85,630 |
| Washington | $84,550 |
| New York | $84,380 |
| Maryland | $83,910 |
| California | $83,500 |
| Connecticut | $82,890 |
| Virginia | $82,090 |
| Colorado | $80,840 |
| New Jersey | $80,690 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Fundraiser | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Logistician | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Ames, IA metro area is $70,060 a year, or $33.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $106,020 a year. The top 25% earn $85,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,610 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $60,090 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Ames, IA?
About 260 human resources specialists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.