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

HR Specialist Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$69,010/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$33.18/hr
▼ 9% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
10,900
public U.S. Median
$75,940
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$76,543 #16 of 51

HR Specialist pay in Kentucky, explained

Human resources specialists in Kentucky earn a median of $69,010 per year ($33.18 per hour), which is 9% below the national median of $75,940. Entry-level workers earn around $43,690, while the most experienced human resources specialists reach about $107,940. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $69,010 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $69,010 is worth about $76,543 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #16 for real pay (vs #32 on the sticker number).

See the full HR Specialist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

HR Specialist pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$43,690
$21.00/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$69,010
$33.18/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$107,940
$51.89/hr

HR Specialist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $69,010 $76,543 —
Virginia $82,090 $81,194 −$13,080
Illinois $76,820 $76,852 −$7,810
Ohio $70,180 $75,646 −$1,170
Tennessee $67,370 $73,332 +$1,640
Missouri $66,990 $73,764 +$2,020
West Virginia $66,860 $74,706 +$2,150
Indiana $65,600 $70,289 +$3,410

HR Specialist in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do human resources specialists make in Kentucky?

Human resources specialists in Kentucky earn a median of $69,010 per year ($33.18 per hour), compared with $75,940 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay human resources specialists well?

At $69,010, Kentucky pays 9% below the national median for human resources specialists. An estimated 10,900 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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