Human Resources Specialist salary in Cleveland, OH
Human Resources Specialists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $70,900 a year ($34.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,500 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 1% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $70,180. There are 6.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,140 | $22.67 |
| 25th percentile | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| Median | $70,900 | $34.09 |
| 75th percentile | $92,440 | $44.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,500 | $55.53 |
| Average (mean) | $75,940 | $36.51 |
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 | $5,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,954.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,726.92 |
| Weekly | $1,363.46 |
| Hourly | $34.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $75,440 | 7,740 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $73,010 | 7,110 |
| Akron, OH | $69,900 | 1,800 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $69,030 | 2,160 |
| Toledo, OH | $67,200 | 1,500 |
| Lima, OH | $63,510 | 230 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $62,480 | 220 |
| Springfield, OH | $62,390 | 200 |
| Sandusky, OH | $62,070 | 210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $61,950 | 800 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $61,770 | 120 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $60,570 | 690 |
| Mansfield, OH | $60,430 | 190 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $59,810 | 540 |
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 Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $71,350 | $34.30 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Management Analyst | $88,260 | $42.44 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,350 | $35.75 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Compliance Officer | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| Logistician | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| Fundraiser | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $78,570 | $37.78 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $70,900 a year, or $34.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $115,500 a year. The top 25% earn $92,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,140 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $54,830 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Cleveland, OH?
About 6,330 human resources specialists are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.