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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
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 $77,700Alaska $76,990Illinois $76,820North 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 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.