Illinois Median
$76,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $75,940
State Rank
#17 of 51
35,430 employed here
How much does a Human Resources Specialist make in Illinois?
A Human Resources Specialist working in Illinois earns a median salary of $76,820 per year, or about $36.93 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $75,940 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $48,980 while the top 10% make $123,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,750 and $98,580 a year.
Human Resources Specialist salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,750 | $29.21 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,820 | $36.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $98,580 | $47.39 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,940 | $59.59 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories for Human Resources Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Human Resources Specialist salary in other states
District of Columbia $110,970Massachusetts $85,630Washington $84,550New York $84,380Maryland $83,910California $83,500Connecticut $82,890Virginia $82,090Colorado $80,840New Jersey $80,690Minnesota $78,760Oregon $78,060Vermont $77,800Delaware $77,700Rhode Island $77,560Alaska $76,990North Dakota $75,630Hawaii $73,750North Carolina $73,070Utah $71,750Maine $71,630Nevada $71,610Arizona $71,390Kansas $70,870New Hampshire $70,840Georgia $70,570Wisconsin $70,540Pennsylvania $70,450Ohio $70,180Michigan $69,520Kentucky $69,010Texas $68,920New Mexico $68,050South Dakota $67,590Tennessee $67,370Missouri $66,990Wyoming $66,970West Virginia $66,860Iowa $66,710Florida $66,410Indiana $65,600South Carolina $65,370Idaho $64,990Alabama $64,940Montana $63,790Nebraska $61,930Oklahoma $61,630Louisiana $61,300Mississippi $60,300Arkansas $55,010
Working as a Human Resources Specialist in Illinois
Nationally, about 912,000 people work as Human Resources Specialists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($76,820) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Human Resources Specialist make in Illinois?
The median Human Resources Specialist salary in Illinois is $76,820 per year, or about $36.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,980 at the entry level to $123,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Human Resources Specialists about 1% more than the national median of $75,940. Illinois ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Human Resources Specialists?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,820 a year. About 35,430 Human Resources Specialists are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Human Resources Specialist salary report
Related salaries
$72,550
median pay · 111,000 employed
$83,510
median pay · 64,000 employed
$95,420
median pay · 65,000 employed
$52,230
median pay · 28,000 employed
$67,960
median pay · 57,000 employed
$80,730
median pay · 417,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.