Human Resources Specialist Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Human Resources Specialists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $61,660 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,724 take-home, or $4,310 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,219
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,823
- Medicare (1.45%)$894
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,724
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,090 | $19.75 | $35,196 | $2,933 |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 | $41,174 | $3,431 |
| Median (50th) | $61,660 | $29.64 | $51,724 | $4,310 |
| 75th percentile | $81,180 | $39.03 | $65,940 | $5,495 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,550 | $52.19 | $85,195 | $7,100 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,660 buys in Chattanooga, TN
Prices in Chattanooga, TN are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $51,724 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,551 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 Chattanooga, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.98).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #150 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 |
| 150 | Chattanooga, TN | $61,660 | $51,724 | $56,551 |
*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 Tennessee
- Kingsport, TN — $64,620
- Memphis, TN — $69,150
- Knoxville, TN — $67,370
- Clarksville, TN — $65,680
- Nashville, TN — $67,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $61,660 a year, or about $29.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,530 and $81,180.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $61,660 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $51,724 a year ($4,310 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,551 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #150 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chattanooga, TN is $1,263 a month ($1,390 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Management Analyst — $96,870
- Project Management Specialist — $87,240
- Accountant and Auditor — $76,680
- Cost Estimator — $70,450
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $69,240
- Compliance Officer — $68,000
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $66,460
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $65,690
- Training and Development Specialist — $64,740
- Loan Officer — $62,460
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $61,590