Human Resources Specialist salary in Iowa City, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $71,120 a year ($34.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,550 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $66,710. There are 5.2 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| 25th percentile | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Median | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| 75th percentile | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,550 | $53.63 |
| Average (mean) | $76,500 | $36.78 |
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 | $5,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,963.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,735.38 |
| Weekly | $1,367.69 |
| Hourly | $34.19 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Project Management Specialist | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Compliance Officer | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Management Analyst | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Fundraiser | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Logistician | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Cost Estimator | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $80,810 | $38.85 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $71,120 a year, or $34.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $111,550 a year. The top 25% earn $85,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,850 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $59,470 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 480 human resources specialists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.