Human Resources Specialist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Human Resources Specialists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $75,190 a year ($36.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,070 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 12% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $66,990. There are 6.3 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 25th percentile | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Median | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| 75th percentile | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,070 | $57.24 |
| Average (mean) | $79,410 | $38.18 |
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 | $6,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,132.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,891.92 |
| Weekly | $1,445.96 |
| Hourly | $36.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | $76,690 | 720 |
| Manhattan, KS | $76,400 | 500 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $71,670 | 8,130 |
| Wichita, KS | $65,390 | 1,380 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $64,200 | 250 |
| Lawrence, KS | $64,130 | 230 |
| Columbia, MO | $63,360 | 640 |
| Springfield, MO | $63,140 | 1,270 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $62,420 | 530 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $61,240 | 390 |
| 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $72,580 | $34.90 |
| Management Analyst | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,090 | $37.54 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,300 | $31.87 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Logistician | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Fundraiser | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $92,860 | $44.64 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $75,190 a year, or $36.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $119,070 a year. The top 25% earn $98,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,810 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $58,710 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 6,950 human resources specialists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.