Human Resources Specialist salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Human Resources Specialists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $67,360 a year ($32.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,050 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 12% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $76,820. There are 5.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| 25th percentile | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Median | $67,360 | $32.39 |
| 75th percentile | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Average (mean) | $73,500 | $35.34 |
Half of human resources specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,806.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,590.77 |
| Weekly | $1,295.38 |
| Hourly | $32.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $79,670 | 1,420 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,840 | 950 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $78,210 | 26,470 |
| Bloomington, IL | $74,210 | 510 |
| Peoria, IL | $74,020 | 890 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| Rockford, IL | $65,490 | 650 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| Kankakee, IL | $63,720 | 160 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,700 | 140 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $60,660 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for human resources specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,840 | $31.65 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Management Analyst | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Project Management Specialist | $90,770 | $43.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Logistician | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,560 | $34.89 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Fundraiser | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Cost Estimator | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,590 | $35.86 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $100,150 | $48.15 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $67,360 a year, or $32.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $101,050 a year. The top 25% earn $83,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,770 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $58,090 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 540 human resources specialists are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.