Human Resources Specialist Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$73,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $75,940
State Rank
#20 of 51
31,140 employed here

How much does a Human Resources Specialist make in North Carolina?

A Human Resources Specialist working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $73,070 per year, or about $35.13 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $75,940 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $46,760 while the top 10% make $126,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,850 and $96,910 a year.

Human Resources Specialist salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,760$22.48
25th percentile (early career)$56,850$27.33
50th percentile (median)$73,070$35.13
75th percentile (experienced)$96,910$46.59
90th percentile (top earners)$126,000$60.58

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 20th out of 51 states and territories for Human Resources Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$110,970
2Massachusetts$85,630
3Washington$84,550
4New York$84,380
5Maryland$83,910

Working as a Human Resources Specialist in North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($73,070) 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 North Carolina?
The median Human Resources Specialist salary in North Carolina is $73,070 per year, or about $35.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,760 at the entry level to $126,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Human Resources Specialists about 4% less than the national median of $75,940. North Carolina ranks 20th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Human Resources Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $73,070 a year. About 31,140 Human Resources Specialists are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Human Resources Specialist salary report

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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.