Human Resources Specialist salary in Iowa
Human Resources Specialists in Iowa earn a median of $66,710 a year ($32.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,640 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $75,940. Iowa ranks 40th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 5.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| 25th percentile | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| Median | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| 75th percentile | $85,770 | $41.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,640 | $53.19 |
| Average (mean) | $73,850 | $35.51 |
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 | $5,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,779.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,565.77 |
| Weekly | $1,282.88 |
| Hourly | $32.07 |
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 Iowa
| 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 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,390 | 380 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Project Management Specialist | $96,540 | $46.41 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Management Analyst | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $72,640 | $34.92 |
| Compliance Officer | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Logistician | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| Fundraiser | $63,930 | $30.74 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $79,140 | $38.05 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Iowa is $66,710 a year, or $32.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Iowa earn at least $110,640 a year. The top 25% earn $85,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,400 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $53,890 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Iowa?
About 7,930 human resources specialists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.