Human Resources Specialist salary in Missouri
Human Resources Specialists in Missouri earn a median of $66,990 a year ($32.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,660 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $75,940. Missouri ranks 37th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 6.0 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,730 | $21.50 |
| 25th percentile | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Median | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| 75th percentile | $89,860 | $43.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,660 | $53.20 |
| Average (mean) | $74,670 | $35.90 |
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 | $5,582.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,791.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,576.54 |
| Weekly | $1,288.27 |
| Hourly | $32.21 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $75,190 | 6,950 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $64,200 | 250 |
| Columbia, MO | $63,360 | 640 |
| Springfield, MO | $63,140 | 1,270 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $62,420 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $61,240 | 390 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $60,660 | 230 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Management Analyst | $97,270 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,840 | $36.46 |
| Logistician | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| Fundraiser | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $93,840 | $45.11 |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $67,950 | $32.67 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Missouri is $66,990 a year, or $32.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Missouri earn at least $110,660 a year. The top 25% earn $89,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,730 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $51,710 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Missouri?
About 17,650 human resources specialists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.