Human Resources Specialist salary in Dubuque, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $64,390 a year ($30.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,090 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $66,710. There are 6.5 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| 25th percentile | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| Median | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| 75th percentile | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,090 | $51.00 |
| Average (mean) | $71,420 | $34.34 |
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 | $5,365.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,682.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,476.54 |
| Weekly | $1,238.27 |
| Hourly | $30.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $79,670 | 1,420 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $71,600 | 2,450 |
| Iowa City, IA | $71,120 | 480 |
| Ames, IA | $70,060 | 260 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,070 | 670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,040 | 280 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,900 | 360 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,840 | 4,330 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Logistician | $93,480 | $44.94 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,660 | $29.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,690 | $50.33 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,050 | $31.76 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| Management Analyst | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,940 | $39.88 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $89,150 | $42.86 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,150 | $26.03 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $74,140 | $35.65 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, IA
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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $64,390 a year, or $30.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $106,090 a year. The top 25% earn $80,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,850 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $55,950 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Dubuque, IA?
About 380 human resources specialists are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.