Human Resources Specialist Salary in Chicago, IL
Human Resources Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $78,210 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,124 take-home, or $5,010 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,376
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,849
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,134
- Illinois income tax$3,727
- Take-home pay$60,124
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,580 | $23.84 | $39,708 | $3,309 |
| 25th percentile | $61,470 | $29.55 | $48,673 | $4,056 |
| Median (50th) | $78,210 | $37.60 | $60,124 | $5,010 |
| 75th percentile | $100,550 | $48.34 | $74,734 | $6,228 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,220 | $60.20 | $90,800 | $7,567 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,210 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $60,124 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,038 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #43 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 43 | Chicago, IL | $78,210 | $60,124 | $58,038 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
About the job: human resources specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Chicago, IL?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $78,210 a year, or about $37.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,470 and $100,550.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $78,210 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $60,124 a year ($5,010 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,727 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,038 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #43 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Compliance Officer — $82,020