Human Resources Specialist salary in Columbia, MO
Human Resources Specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $63,360 a year ($30.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,640 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 5% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $66,990. There are 5.9 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| 25th percentile | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| Median | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| 75th percentile | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,640 | $50.31 |
| Average (mean) | $69,880 | $33.60 |
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 | $5,280 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,640 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,436.92 |
| Weekly | $1,218.46 |
| Hourly | $30.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $75,190 | 6,950 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $64,200 | 250 |
| Springfield, MO | $63,140 | 1,270 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $62,420 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $61,240 | 390 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $60,660 | 230 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $61,600 | $29.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Project Management Specialist | $80,870 | $38.88 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $54,440 | $26.17 |
| Management Analyst | $84,870 | $40.80 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Compliance Officer | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Cost Estimator | $68,610 | $32.98 |
| Logistician | $72,180 | $34.70 |
| Fundraiser | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| Loan Officer | $81,850 | $39.35 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $63,360 a year, or $30.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $104,640 a year. The top 25% earn $81,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,540 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $50,140 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Columbia, MO?
About 640 human resources specialists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.