Human Resources Specialist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $61,900 a year ($29.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,810 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $66,710. There are 4.3 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $67,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| 25th percentile | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Median | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| 75th percentile | $80,070 | $38.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,810 | $47.99 |
| Average (mean) | $67,980 | $32.68 |
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 | $5,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,579.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,380.77 |
| Weekly | $1,190.38 |
| Hourly | $29.76 |
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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $71,600 | 2,450 |
| Iowa City, IA | $71,120 | 480 |
| Ames, IA | $70,060 | 260 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,390 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,070 | 670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,040 | 280 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,840 | 4,330 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $51,320 | $24.68 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $69,960 | $33.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,330 | $35.25 |
| Project Management Specialist | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Compliance Officer | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Management Analyst | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Cost Estimator | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| Logistician | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,260 | $35.22 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Loan Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $61,900 a year, or $29.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $99,810 a year. The top 25% earn $80,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,770 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $51,100 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 360 human resources specialists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.