Human Resources Specialist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Human Resources Specialists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $71,670 a year ($34.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,290 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $66,990. There are 6.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| 25th percentile | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Median | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| 75th percentile | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,290 | $55.91 |
| Average (mean) | $77,170 | $37.10 |
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 | $5,972.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,986.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,756.54 |
| Weekly | $1,378.27 |
| Hourly | $34.46 |
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 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $75,190 | 6,950 |
| Bloomington, IL | $74,210 | 510 |
| Peoria, IL | $74,020 | 890 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,360 | 540 |
| Rockford, IL | $65,490 | 650 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $64,200 | 250 |
| Kankakee, IL | $63,720 | 160 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,700 | 140 |
| Columbia, MO | $63,360 | 640 |
| Springfield, MO | $63,140 | 1,270 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $62,420 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $61,240 | 390 |
| 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Management Analyst | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,840 | $36.46 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Logistician | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,810 | $27.79 |
| Fundraiser | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $67,630 | $32.51 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $71,670 a year, or $34.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $116,290 a year. The top 25% earn $93,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,230 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $54,770 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 8,130 human resources specialists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.