Human Resources Specialist salary in Illinois
Human Resources Specialists in Illinois earn a median of $76,820 a year ($36.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 35,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,940 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $75,940. Illinois ranks 17th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 5.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Median | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| 75th percentile | $98,580 | $47.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,940 | $59.59 |
| Average (mean) | $81,480 | $39.18 |
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 | $6,401.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,200.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,954.62 |
| Weekly | $1,477.31 |
| Hourly | $36.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $79,670 | 1,420 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,840 | 950 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,210 | 26,470 |
| Bloomington, IL | $74,210 | 510 |
| Peoria, IL | $74,020 | 890 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,360 | 540 |
| Rockford, IL | $65,490 | 650 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| Kankakee, IL | $63,720 | 160 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,700 | 140 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Logistician | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Fundraiser | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,180 | $50.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Illinois is $76,820 a year, or $36.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Illinois earn at least $123,940 a year. The top 25% earn $98,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,980 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $60,750 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Illinois?
About 35,430 human resources specialists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.