Human Resources Specialist salary in Knoxville, TN
Human Resources Specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $67,370 a year ($32.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,710 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $67,370. There are 7.0 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| 25th percentile | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Median | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Average (mean) | $74,560 | $35.85 |
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 | $5,614.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,807.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,591.15 |
| Weekly | $1,295.58 |
| Hourly | $32.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $69,150 | 3,650 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $67,380 | 8,210 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $65,680 | 540 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $64,620 | 530 |
| Jackson, TN | $63,430 | 370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,730 | 360 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,660 | 1,550 |
| Cleveland, TN | $60,560 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $59,820 | 190 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Management Analyst | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,700 | $37.36 |
| Compliance Officer | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| Cost Estimator | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| Logistician | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Fundraiser | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $57,320 | $27.56 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $67,370 a year, or $32.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $107,710 a year. The top 25% earn $83,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,490 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $58,240 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 2,980 human resources specialists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.