Human Resources Specialist salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Human Resources Specialists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $73,010 a year ($35.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,750 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 4% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $70,180. There are 6.5 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| 25th percentile | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| Median | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| 75th percentile | $95,960 | $46.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,750 | $58.53 |
| Average (mean) | $77,850 | $37.43 |
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 | $6,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,042.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,808.08 |
| Weekly | $1,404.04 |
| Hourly | $35.10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | 1,060 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,210 | 26,470 |
| Columbus, OH | $75,440 | 7,740 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $71,880 | 3,680 |
| Cleveland, OH | $70,900 | 6,330 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $69,990 | 1,320 |
| Akron, OH | $69,900 | 1,800 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $69,030 | 2,160 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $67,690 | 160 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $67,300 | 7,150 |
| Toledo, OH | $67,200 | 1,500 |
| Bloomington, IN | $66,750 | 320 |
| Kokomo, IN | $66,200 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $65,680 | 540 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $65,510 | 1,150 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $64,860 | 620 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $64,140 | 510 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $63,700 | 670 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,520 | 660 |
| Lima, OH | $63,510 | 230 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $62,480 | 220 |
| Owensboro, KY | $62,440 | 170 |
| Springfield, OH | $62,390 | 200 |
| Columbus, IN | $62,330 | 340 |
| Sandusky, OH | $62,070 | 210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $61,950 | 800 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,860 | 360 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $61,770 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,730 | 240 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,380 | $45.85 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Management Analyst | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Compliance Officer | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Logistician | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Cost Estimator | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Fundraiser | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,200 | $37.12 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,350 | $45.84 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $73,010 a year, or $35.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $121,750 a year. The top 25% earn $95,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,910 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $56,300 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 7,110 human resources specialists are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.