Human Resources Specialist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $71,600 a year ($34.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,470 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $66,710. There are 6.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| 25th percentile | $56,050 | $26.95 |
| Median | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| 75th percentile | $97,840 | $47.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,470 | $57.92 |
| Average (mean) | $78,330 | $37.66 |
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 | $5,966.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,983.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,753.85 |
| Weekly | $1,376.92 |
| Hourly | $34.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
| Iowa City, IA | $71,120 | 480 |
| Ames, IA | $70,060 | 260 |
| Dubuque, IA | $64,390 | 380 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,070 | 670 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,040 | 280 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,900 | 360 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,840 | 4,330 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Project Management Specialist | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Management Analyst | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Compliance Officer | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Logistician | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Fundraiser | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $81,960 | $39.40 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $71,600 a year, or $34.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $120,470 a year. The top 25% earn $97,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,940 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $56,050 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 2,450 human resources specialists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.