BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina

$79,450 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$38.2 per hour

▼ 3.1% below U.S. average18th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$79,450per year
Median$73,070per year
Hourly$38.2per hour
10th – 90th percentile$46,760 – $126,000per year

Human Resources Specialists Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,760
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$56,850
  • 50th Percentile — Median$73,070
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$96,910
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$126,000

Half of Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina earn more than $73,070. The top 10% make $126,000 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,760.

Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 18th of 51 states for Human Resources Specialists pay, at $79,450 per year (3.1% below the U.S. average of $81,990).
  • 31,140 people work as Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina — 3.4% of all U.S. Human Resources Specialists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.07: Human Resources Specialists jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,760; the top 10% earn over $126,000.
  • Hourly equivalent: $38.2 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $116,020.
  • Among business jobs in North Carolina, Personal Financial Advisors pays the most ($143,740).

Human Resources Specialists Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Human Resources Specialists here earn $79,450 on average, placing the state 18th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $79,450 is roughly equivalent to $87,308 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($82,250), Illinois ($81,480), Vermont ($80,760) are the closest alternatives for Human Resources Specialists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Human Resources Specialists salary in North Carolina?

The average Human Resources Specialists salary in North Carolina is $79,450 per year (median $73,070), which is 3.1% below the national average of $81,990.

How does North Carolina rank for Human Resources Specialists pay?

North Carolina ranks 18th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($116,020/yr).

How much do entry-level Human Resources Specialists make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Human Resources Specialists in North Carolina earn about $46,760 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,850.

How much do Human Resources Specialists make per hour in North Carolina?

About $38.2 per hour, based on the $79,450 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Human Resources Specialists work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 31,140 Human Resources Specialists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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