Human Resources Specialist salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $74,170 a year ($35.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,700 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $73,070. There are 7.7 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| 25th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Median | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| 75th percentile | $97,670 | $46.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,700 | $60.44 |
| Average (mean) | $80,820 | $38.86 |
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 | $6,180.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,090.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,852.69 |
| Weekly | $1,426.35 |
| Hourly | $35.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| Project Management Specialist | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $78,980 | $37.97 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| Management Analyst | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Compliance Officer | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Cost Estimator | $79,230 | $38.09 |
| Logistician | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $68,730 | $33.04 |
| Fundraiser | $70,700 | $33.99 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,120 | $37.56 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $74,170 a year, or $35.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $125,700 a year. The top 25% earn $97,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,060 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $60,070 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 5,710 human resources specialists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.