Human Resources Specialist Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Human Resources Specialists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $74,970 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,979 take-home, or $4,915 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,663
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,648
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,087
- Wisconsin income tax$2,593
- Take-home pay$58,979
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,630 | $23.38 | $39,896 | $3,325 |
| 25th percentile | $59,230 | $28.48 | $47,946 | $3,996 |
| Median (50th) | $74,970 | $36.04 | $58,979 | $4,915 |
| 75th percentile | $93,280 | $44.85 | $70,889 | $5,907 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,840 | $52.81 | $81,661 | $6,805 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,970 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $58,979 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,842 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 Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Milwaukee, WI | $74,970 | $58,979 | $60,842 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $76,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $74,970 a year, or about $36.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,230 and $93,280.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $74,970 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $58,979 a year ($4,915 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,593 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,842 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #22 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Management Analyst — $102,900
- Project Management Specialist — $100,350
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,290
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $79,770
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $76,800
- Training and Development Specialist — $73,930
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $73,880
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $59,170