Human Resources Specialist Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$77,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $75,940
State Rank
#15 of 51
3,320 employed here

How much does a Human Resources Specialist make in Rhode Island?

Human Resources Specialists in Rhode Island take home a median of $77,560 annually — roughly $37.29 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $75,940.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $51,270 while the top 10% make $128,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,180 and $97,210 a year.

Human Resources Specialist salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$51,270$24.65
25th percentile (early career)$62,180$29.89
50th percentile (median)$77,560$37.29
75th percentile (experienced)$97,210$46.74
90th percentile (top earners)$128,250$61.66

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 15th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($77,560) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Human Resources Specialist salary in Rhode Island is $77,560 per year, or about $37.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,270 at the entry level to $128,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Human Resources Specialists about 2% more than the national median of $75,940. Rhode Island ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Human Resources Specialists?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,560 a year. About 3,320 Human Resources Specialists are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.