Human Resources Specialist Salary in Memphis, TN
Human Resources Specialists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median $69,150 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,477 take-home, or $4,790 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Memphis, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,383
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,287
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,003
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$57,477
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. 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 Memphis, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,640 | $21.94 | $38,852 | $3,238 |
| 25th percentile | $55,470 | $26.67 | $46,750 | $3,896 |
| Median (50th) | $69,150 | $33.25 | $57,477 | $4,790 |
| 75th percentile | $86,250 | $41.47 | $69,507 | $5,792 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,780 | $52.78 | $86,060 | $7,172 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,150 buys in Memphis, TN
Prices in Memphis, TN are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 20% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $57,477 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,354 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 Memphis, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Memphis, TN ranks #13 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 |
| 13 | Memphis, TN | $69,150 | $57,477 | $62,354 |
*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 Tennessee
- Knoxville, TN — $67,370
- Nashville, TN — $67,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Memphis, TN?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $69,150 a year, or about $33.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,470 and $86,250.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Memphis, TN?
On the median $69,150 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $57,477 a year ($4,790 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,354 would in a typical U.S. city. Memphis, TN ranks #13 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Memphis, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN is $1,137 a month ($1,263 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN
- Project Management Specialist — $85,130
- Accountant and Auditor — $76,960