Human Resources Specialist salary in Appleton, WI
Human Resources Specialists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $63,650 a year ($30.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,280 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 10% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $70,540. There are 5.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 25th percentile | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Median | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| 75th percentile | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Average (mean) | $70,730 | $34.00 |
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 | $5,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,652.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,448.08 |
| Weekly | $1,224.04 |
| Hourly | $30.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,330 | 12,660 |
| Madison, WI | $76,660 | 2,810 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $74,970 | 5,050 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $73,410 | 290 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $72,610 | 270 |
| Green Bay, WI | $72,550 | 900 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $68,940 | 530 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $67,200 | 400 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $67,040 | 560 |
| Wausau, WI | $66,750 | 330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $65,400 | 390 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $64,900 | 390 |
| Kenosha, WI | $64,080 | 470 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $63,270 | 500 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $98,290 | $47.26 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,110 | $31.30 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $70,940 | $34.11 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Management Analyst | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Logistician | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,950 | $32.67 |
| Fundraiser | $63,270 | $30.42 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Appleton, WI metro area is $63,650 a year, or $30.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $100,280 a year. The top 25% earn $80,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,190 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $56,860 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Appleton, WI?
About 720 human resources specialists are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.