Human Resources Specialist Salary in Appleton, WI
Human Resources Specialists in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $63,650 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,303 take-home, or $4,275 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,458
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,946
- Medicare (1.45%)$923
- Wisconsin income tax$2,020
- Take-home pay$51,303
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,190 | $23.17 | $39,561 | $3,297 |
| 25th percentile | $56,860 | $27.34 | $46,146 | $3,846 |
| Median (50th) | $63,650 | $30.60 | $51,303 | $4,275 |
| 75th percentile | $80,260 | $38.59 | $62,420 | $5,202 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,280 | $48.21 | $75,443 | $6,287 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,650 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $51,303 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,512 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 Appleton, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #168 of 217 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $94,520 | $71,704 | $82,356 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 3 | Davenport, IA | $79,670 | $62,502 | $70,165 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $83,810 | $63,615 | $70,044 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $76,550 | $62,449 | $68,723 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $90,290 | $72,349 | $68,508 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | $61,659 | $68,077 |
| 168 | Appleton, WI | $63,650 | $51,303 | $55,512 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 217 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $76,660
- Green Bay, WI — $72,550
- Milwaukee, WI — $74,970
- Oshkosh, WI — $68,940
- Janesville, WI — $63,270
- Kenosha, WI — $64,080
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Appleton, WI?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $63,650 a year, or about $30.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,860 and $80,260.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $63,650 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $51,303 a year ($4,275 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,020 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,512 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #168 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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