Human Resources Specialist salary in Madison, WI
Human Resources Specialists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $76,660 a year ($36.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,440 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 9% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $70,540. There are 6.9 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| 25th percentile | $61,430 | $29.54 |
| Median | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| 75th percentile | $90,170 | $43.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,440 | $51.17 |
| Average (mean) | $78,550 | $37.77 |
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 | $6,388.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,194.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,948.46 |
| Weekly | $1,474.23 |
| Hourly | $36.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,330 | 12,660 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $74,970 | 5,050 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $73,410 | 290 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $72,610 | 270 |
| Green Bay, WI | $72,550 | 900 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $68,940 | 530 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $67,200 | 400 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $67,040 | 560 |
| Wausau, WI | $66,750 | 330 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $65,400 | 390 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $64,900 | 390 |
| Kenosha, WI | $64,080 | 470 |
| Appleton, WI | $63,650 | 720 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $63,270 | 500 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Management Analyst | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $81,200 | $39.04 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Cost Estimator | $73,420 | $35.30 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Fundraiser | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Logistician | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $98,430 | $47.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Madison, WI metro area is $76,660 a year, or $36.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $106,440 a year. The top 25% earn $90,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,320 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $61,430 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Madison, WI?
About 2,810 human resources specialists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.