Human Resources Specialist salary in Kentucky
Human Resources Specialists in Kentucky earn a median of $69,010 a year ($33.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,940 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $75,940. Kentucky ranks 32nd of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 5.5 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,690 | $21.00 |
| 25th percentile | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Median | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| 75th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,940 | $51.89 |
| Average (mean) | $72,970 | $35.08 |
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 | $5,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,875.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,654.23 |
| Weekly | $1,327.12 |
| Hourly | $33.18 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | 1,060 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $73,010 | 7,110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $71,880 | 3,680 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $69,990 | 1,320 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $65,680 | 540 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| Owensboro, KY | $62,440 | 170 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,860 | 360 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $59,810 | 540 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $74,690 | $35.91 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Management Analyst | $95,630 | $45.98 |
| Compliance Officer | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Logistician | $68,420 | $32.89 |
| Cost Estimator | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Fundraiser | $68,270 | $32.82 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $73,550 | $35.36 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Kentucky is $69,010 a year, or $33.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Kentucky earn at least $107,940 a year. The top 25% earn $84,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,690 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $52,680 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Kentucky?
About 10,900 human resources specialists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.