Human Resources Specialist salary in Minnesota
Human Resources Specialists in Minnesota earn a median of $78,760 a year ($37.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,060 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $75,940. Minnesota ranks 11th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 5.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| 25th percentile | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Median | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| 75th percentile | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,060 | $61.09 |
| Average (mean) | $83,970 | $40.37 |
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 | $6,563.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,281.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,029.23 |
| Weekly | $1,514.62 |
| Hourly | $37.87 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN | $83,810 | 500 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $80,330 | 12,660 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $76,550 | 720 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $74,710 | 480 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $73,300 | 190 |
| Mankato, MN | $72,410 | 260 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $68,230 | 670 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $67,040 | 560 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $65,400 | 390 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $87,510 | $42.07 |
| Management Analyst | $100,790 | $48.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Compliance Officer | $85,920 | $41.31 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Logistician | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Fundraiser | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $78,770 | $37.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Minnesota is $78,760 a year, or $37.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Minnesota earn at least $127,060 a year. The top 25% earn $100,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,330 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $61,860 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Minnesota?
About 17,240 human resources specialists are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.