Human Resources Specialist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Human Resources Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $78,210 a year ($37.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,220 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 2% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $76,820. There are 5.9 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| 25th percentile | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Median | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| 75th percentile | $100,550 | $48.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,220 | $60.20 |
| Average (mean) | $83,190 | $39.99 |
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 | $6,517.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,258.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,008.08 |
| Weekly | $1,504.04 |
| Hourly | $37.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,210 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 |
| Bloomington, IL | $74,210 | 510 |
| Peoria, IL | $74,020 | 890 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $73,010 | 7,110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $71,880 | 3,680 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $67,690 | 160 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $67,360 | 540 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $67,300 | 7,150 |
| Bloomington, IN | $66,750 | 320 |
| Kokomo, IN | $66,200 | 130 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $65,510 | 1,150 |
| Rockford, IL | $65,490 | 650 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $64,860 | 620 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $64,500 | 210 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $64,140 | 510 |
| Kankakee, IL | $63,720 | 160 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,700 | 140 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $63,700 | 670 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,520 | 660 |
| Columbus, IN | $62,330 | 340 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,730 | 240 |
| Muncie, IN | $60,990 | 200 |
| 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $105,090 | $50.53 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $80,400 | $38.65 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $81,170 | $39.02 |
| Project Management Specialist | $105,320 | $50.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,510 | $37.74 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,050 | $32.23 |
| Logistician | $79,900 | $38.42 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Compliance Officer | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Cost Estimator | $83,640 | $40.21 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Fundraiser | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $103,570 | $49.79 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $78,210 a year, or $37.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $125,220 a year. The top 25% earn $100,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,580 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $61,470 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 26,470 human resources specialists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.