Human Resources Specialist salary in North Carolina
Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina earn a median of $73,070 a year ($35.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 31,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,000 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $75,940. North Carolina ranks 20th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 6.3 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| 25th percentile | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Median | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| 75th percentile | $96,910 | $46.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,000 | $60.58 |
| Average (mean) | $79,450 | $38.20 |
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 | $6,089.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,044.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,810.38 |
| Weekly | $1,405.19 |
| Hourly | $35.13 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,100 | 2,370 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,330 | 8,930 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $76,240 | 4,290 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $75,440 | 870 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $74,170 | 5,710 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,210 | 910 |
| Burlington, NC | $69,500 | 280 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $68,540 | 1,370 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $67,660 | 2,630 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $66,660 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $66,190 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $64,730 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $64,700 | 670 |
| Wilmington, NC | $64,440 | 850 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $62,390 | 220 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,660 | 270 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| Management Analyst | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,250 | $31.37 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| Cost Estimator | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Logistician | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| Fundraiser | $66,100 | $31.78 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $86,270 | $41.48 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for human resources specialists in North Carolina is $73,070 a year, or $35.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in North Carolina earn at least $126,000 a year. The top 25% earn $96,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,760 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $56,850 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in North Carolina?
About 31,140 human resources specialists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.