Human Resources Specialist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $64,700 a year ($31.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,260 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 11% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $73,070. There are 4.3 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $70,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| 25th percentile | $51,790 | $24.90 |
| Median | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| 75th percentile | $80,960 | $38.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,260 | $49.16 |
| Average (mean) | $70,230 | $33.76 |
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 | $5,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,695.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,488.46 |
| Weekly | $1,244.23 |
| Hourly | $31.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,100 | 2,370 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,330 | 8,930 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $76,240 | 4,290 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $75,440 | 870 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $74,170 | 5,710 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,210 | 910 |
| Burlington, NC | $69,500 | 280 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $68,540 | 1,370 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $67,660 | 2,630 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $66,660 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $66,190 | 430 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $64,730 | 290 |
| Wilmington, NC | $64,440 | 850 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $62,390 | 220 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $61,660 | 270 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $69,230 | $33.29 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $75,450 | $36.28 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| Management Analyst | $76,990 | $37.02 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Cost Estimator | $62,950 | $30.27 |
| Logistician | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Fundraiser | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,490 | $37.25 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $64,700 a year, or $31.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $102,260 a year. The top 25% earn $80,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,620 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $51,790 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 670 human resources specialists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.