Human Resources Specialist salary in Rapid City, SD
Human Resources Specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $74,980 a year ($36.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,550 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 11% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $67,590. There are 3.0 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $78,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,540 | $24.78 |
| 25th percentile | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Median | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| 75th percentile | $91,170 | $43.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,550 | $53.63 |
| Average (mean) | $78,570 | $37.77 |
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 | $6,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,124.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,883.85 |
| Weekly | $1,441.92 |
| Hourly | $36.05 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $68,230 | 670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,040 | 280 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $74,700 | $35.91 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $72,210 | $34.72 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Compliance Officer | $75,160 | $36.14 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Logistician | $79,510 | $38.23 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| Loan Officer | $78,470 | $37.73 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $74,980 a year, or $36.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $111,550 a year. The top 25% earn $91,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,540 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $60,530 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 230 human resources specialists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.