Human Resources Specialist Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

Recruits, screens, and interviews candidates, and manages employee relations and HR programs.

Ranks #84 of 530 metros·Illinois·$78,915 avg

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin ranks #84 of 530 U.S. metro areas for human resources specialist pay. Entry-level salaries here are $5,893 above the national average.

Level I
$51,917
vs national avg: +13%
Level II
$65,354
vs national avg: +12%
Level III
$78,770
vs national avg: +12%
Level IV
$92,206
vs national avg: +11%

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs National Average

LevelThis MetroNational AvgDifference% Change
Level I (Entry)$51,917$46,024+$5,893+12.8%
Level II$65,354$58,303+$7,051+12.1%
Level III (Mid)$78,770$70,581+$8,189+11.6%
Level IV (Senior)$92,206$82,859+$9,347+11.3%

Other metros in Illinois

Metro AreaLevel ILevel IVAverage
Bloomington$50,710$93,579$79,435
Springfield$52,520$86,715$75,421
St. Louis$46,155$88,067$74,235
Peoria$50,170$85,446$73,798
Decatur$47,112$81,786$70,346

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average human resources specialist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?

The average human resources specialist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is $78,915 per year, based on U.S. Department of Labor employer survey data. This places Chicago-Naperville-Elgin at rank #84 out of 530 U.S. metro areas surveyed.

What do entry-level human resources specialists earn in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?

Entry-level human resources specialists (Level I) in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin earn $51,917 per year. Level II (early career) earns $65,354, reflecting growing independence and experience.

How does Chicago-Naperville-Elgin compare to the national average for human resources specialist salaries?

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin ranks #84 of 530 U.S. metro areas for human resources specialist pay. Entry-level salaries here are $5,893 above the national average. The national average human resources specialist salary is $70,704, while Chicago-Naperville-Elgin workers average $78,915 — a difference of +12% overall.

Data source: Salary data sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers nationwide to collect wage data by occupation and geography. The four experience levels reflect DOL standardized tiers. Data reflects the most recently published survey cycle. SOC code: 13-1071.