Human Resources Specialist salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $76,240 a year ($36.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,530 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $82,090. There are 5.6 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| 25th percentile | $59,220 | $28.47 |
| Median | $76,240 | $36.66 |
| 75th percentile | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,530 | $57.95 |
| Average (mean) | $79,850 | $38.39 |
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 | $6,353.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,176.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,932.31 |
| Weekly | $1,466.15 |
| Hourly | $36.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $100,830 | 24,450 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $82,430 | 610 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $81,100 | 2,370 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,340 | 4,540 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $79,040 | 460 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $78,330 | 8,930 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $75,440 | 870 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $74,170 | 5,710 |
| Asheville, NC | $70,210 | 910 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $69,880 | 360 |
| Burlington, NC | $69,500 | 280 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $69,490 | 430 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $68,540 | 1,370 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $67,660 | 2,630 |
| Roanoke, VA | $67,450 | 780 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $66,660 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $66,190 | 430 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $65,540 | 220 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $64,730 | 290 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $64,700 | 670 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $64,620 | 530 |
| Wilmington, NC | $64,440 | 850 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $62,390 | 220 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $62,310 | 240 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| Management Analyst | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,470 | $35.80 |
| Logistician | $91,460 | $43.97 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $68,290 | $32.83 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,820 | $25.88 |
| Fundraiser | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,160 | $35.18 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,760 | $46.04 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $76,240 a year, or $36.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $120,530 a year. The top 25% earn $97,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,210 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $59,220 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 4,290 human resources specialists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.