Human Resources Specialist salary in Rhode Island
Human Resources Specialists in Rhode Island earn a median of $77,560 a year ($37.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,250 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $75,940. Rhode Island ranks 15th of 51 states for human resources specialists pay. There are 6.6 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| 25th percentile | $62,180 | $29.90 |
| Median | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| 75th percentile | $97,210 | $46.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,250 | $61.66 |
| Average (mean) | $82,250 | $39.54 |
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 | $6,463.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,231.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,983.08 |
| Weekly | $1,491.54 |
| Hourly | $37.29 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $76,930 | 4,180 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $99,640 | $47.91 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,680 | $50.33 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $88,130 | $42.37 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,910 | $36.50 |
| Fundraiser | $75,410 | $36.25 |
| Compliance Officer | $87,620 | $42.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Cost Estimator | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Logistician | $76,180 | $36.62 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $88,030 | $42.32 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $86,240 | $41.46 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Rhode Island is $77,560 a year, or $37.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Rhode Island earn at least $128,250 a year. The top 25% earn $97,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,270 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $62,180 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Rhode Island?
About 3,320 human resources specialists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.