Human Resources Specialist salary in Rockford, IL
Human Resources Specialists in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $65,490 a year ($31.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,930 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 15% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $76,820. There are 4.8 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| 25th percentile | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Median | $65,490 | $31.49 |
| 75th percentile | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Average (mean) | $70,110 | $33.71 |
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 | $5,457.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,728.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,518.85 |
| Weekly | $1,259.42 |
| Hourly | $31.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $79,670 | 1,420 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,840 | 950 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,210 | 26,470 |
| Bloomington, IL | $74,210 | 510 |
| Peoria, IL | $74,020 | 890 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,360 | 540 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| Kankakee, IL | $63,720 | 160 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,700 | 140 |
| 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 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,720 | $35.44 |
| Project Management Specialist | $94,690 | $45.52 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Logistician | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Management Analyst | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,660 | $35.89 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Fundraiser | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,370 | $35.27 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $100,480 | $48.31 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, IL
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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Rockford, IL metro area is $65,490 a year, or $31.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $94,930 a year. The top 25% earn $79,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,830 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $55,530 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Rockford, IL?
About 650 human resources specialists are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.