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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

HR Specialist Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$76,820/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$36.93/hr
▲ 1% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
35,430
public U.S. Median
$75,940
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$76,852 #15 of 51

HR Specialist pay in Illinois, explained

Human resources specialists in Illinois earn a median of $76,820 per year ($36.93 per hour), which is 1% above the national median of $75,940. Entry-level workers earn around $48,980, while the most experienced human resources specialists reach about $123,940. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $76,820 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $76,820 is worth about $76,852 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #15 for real pay (vs #17 on the sticker number).

See the full HR Specialist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

HR Specialist pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$48,980
$23.55/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$76,820
$36.93/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$123,940
$59.59/hr

HR Specialist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $76,820 $76,852 —
Wisconsin $70,540 $74,967 +$6,280
Kentucky $69,010 $76,543 +$7,810
Missouri $66,990 $73,764 +$9,830
Iowa $66,710 $76,012 +$10,110
Indiana $65,600 $70,289 +$11,220

HR Specialist in Illinois: FAQ

How much do human resources specialists make in Illinois?

Human resources specialists in Illinois earn a median of $76,820 per year ($36.93 per hour), compared with $75,940 nationally.

Does Illinois pay human resources specialists well?

At $76,820, Illinois pays 1% above the national median for human resources specialists. An estimated 35,430 work in the state.

HR Specialist salary in other states

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 Minnesota · $78,760 Oregon · $78,060

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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