Human Resources Specialist Salary in Durham, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $81,100 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,157 take-home, or $5,263 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,012
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,028
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,176
- North Carolina income tax$2,727
- Take-home pay$63,157
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,340 | $24.68 | $41,892 | $3,491 |
| 25th percentile | $64,200 | $30.87 | $51,712 | $4,309 |
| Median (50th) | $81,100 | $38.99 | $63,157 | $5,263 |
| 75th percentile | $100,760 | $48.44 | $76,203 | $6,350 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,450 | $64.16 | $97,663 | $8,139 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,100 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $63,157 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,728 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 Durham, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Durham, NC ranks #4 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 |
*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.
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $78,330
- Raleigh, NC — $74,170
- Greensboro, NC — $67,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Durham, NC?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $81,100 a year, or about $38.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $64,200 and $100,760.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $81,100 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $63,157 a year ($5,263 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,727 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,728 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #4 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Project Management Specialist — $104,870
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $95,460
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $93,110
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,090