Human Resources Specialist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Human Resources Specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $69,150 a year ($33.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,780 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $67,370. There are 6.0 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Median | $69,150 | $33.24 |
| 75th percentile | $86,250 | $41.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,780 | $52.78 |
| Average (mean) | $74,330 | $35.74 |
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 | $5,762.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,881.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,659.62 |
| Weekly | $1,329.81 |
| Hourly | $33.24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $68,810 | 760 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $67,380 | 8,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $67,370 | 2,980 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $65,680 | 540 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $64,620 | 530 |
| Jackson, TN | $63,430 | 370 |
| Jackson, MS | $62,720 | 1,160 |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,730 | 360 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,660 | 1,550 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $61,350 | 210 |
| Cleveland, TN | $60,560 | 200 |
| Morristown, TN | $59,820 | 190 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $58,830 | 1,580 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $57,640 | 1,630 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $55,000 | 230 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $54,220 | 400 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $53,790 | 200 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $51,260 | 110 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| Management Analyst | $94,980 | $45.67 |
| Logistician | $71,230 | $34.24 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Fundraiser | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $74,470 | $35.80 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,960 | $37.00 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $69,150 a year, or $33.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $109,780 a year. The top 25% earn $86,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,640 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $55,470 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 3,650 human resources specialists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.