Human Resources Specialist salary in Cleveland, TN
Human Resources Specialists in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn a median of $60,560 a year ($29.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,420 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 10% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $67,370. There are 4.7 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $69,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Cleveland, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| 25th percentile | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Median | $60,560 | $29.12 |
| 75th percentile | $77,910 | $37.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| Average (mean) | $69,170 | $33.25 |
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 | $5,046.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,523.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,329.23 |
| Weekly | $1,164.62 |
| Hourly | $29.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $69,150 | 3,650 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $67,380 | 8,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $67,370 | 2,980 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $65,680 | 540 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $64,620 | 530 |
| Jackson, TN | $63,430 | 370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,730 | 360 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,660 | 1,550 |
| Morristown, TN | $59,820 | 190 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Project Management Specialist | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| Cost Estimator | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Management Analyst | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $55,040 | $26.46 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Logistician | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $71,840 | $34.54 |
| Loan Officer | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $43,880 | $21.10 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, TN
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, TN?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Cleveland, TN metro area is $60,560 a year, or $29.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Cleveland, TN?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn at least $101,420 a year. The top 25% earn $77,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Cleveland, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,150 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $47,320 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Cleveland, TN?
About 200 human resources specialists are employed in the Cleveland, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.