Human Resources Specialist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $81,100 a year ($38.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,450 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 11% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $73,070. There are 6.9 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,340 | $24.68 |
| 25th percentile | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Median | $81,100 | $38.99 |
| 75th percentile | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| Average (mean) | $88,260 | $42.43 |
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 | $6,758.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,379.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,119.23 |
| Weekly | $1,559.62 |
| Hourly | $38.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,330 | 8,930 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $76,240 | 4,290 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $75,440 | 870 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $74,170 | 5,710 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,210 | 910 |
| Burlington, NC | $69,500 | 280 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $68,540 | 1,370 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $67,660 | 2,630 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $66,660 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $66,190 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $64,730 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $64,700 | 670 |
| Wilmington, NC | $64,440 | 850 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $62,390 | 220 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,660 | 270 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $93,110 | $44.76 |
| Management Analyst | $126,110 | $60.63 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Compliance Officer | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Logistician | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Fundraiser | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,090 | $40.91 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $81,100 a year, or $38.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $133,450 a year. The top 25% earn $100,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,340 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $64,200 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 2,370 human resources specialists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.