Human Resources Specialist Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA
Human Resources Specialists in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area earn a median $63,070 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,112 take-home, or $4,259 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,388
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,910
- Medicare (1.45%)$915
- Iowa income tax$1,745
- Take-home pay$51,112
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,160 | $20.75 | $35,871 | $2,989 |
| 25th percentile | $51,740 | $24.88 | $42,439 | $3,537 |
| Median (50th) | $63,070 | $30.32 | $51,112 | $4,259 |
| 75th percentile | $80,290 | $38.60 | $62,915 | $5,243 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,410 | $47.79 | $75,639 | $6,303 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,070 buys in Cedar Rapids, IA
Prices in Cedar Rapids, IA are 11.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $51,112 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,453 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 Cedar Rapids, IA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Cedar Rapids, IA ranks #123 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 |
| 123 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $63,070 | $51,112 | $57,453 |
*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 Iowa
- Davenport, IA — $79,670
- Des Moines, IA — $71,600
- Iowa City, IA — $71,120
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Cedar Rapids, IA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Cedar Rapids, IA metro area is $63,070 a year, or about $30.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,740 and $80,290.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Cedar Rapids, IA?
On the median $63,070 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $51,112 a year ($4,259 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,745 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Cedar Rapids, IA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 11.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,453 would in a typical U.S. city. Cedar Rapids, IA ranks #123 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Cedar Rapids, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cedar Rapids, IA is $800 a month ($1,049 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Project Management Specialist — $93,760
- Accountant and Auditor — $77,180
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $72,740
- Training and Development Specialist — $72,120
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $63,630