Human Resources Specialist Salary in Chicago, IL
Human Resources Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $78,210 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,124 take-home, or $5,010 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,376
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,849
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,134
- Illinois income tax$3,727
- Take-home pay$60,124
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,580 | $23.84 | $39,708 | $3,309 |
| 25th percentile | $61,470 | $29.55 | $48,673 | $4,056 |
| Median (50th) | $78,210 | $37.60 | $60,124 | $5,010 |
| 75th percentile | $100,550 | $48.34 | $74,734 | $6,228 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,220 | $60.20 | $90,800 | $7,567 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,210 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $60,124 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,038 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 Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #111 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 |
| 111 | Chicago, IL | $78,210 | $60,124 | $58,038 |
*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 Illinois
- Springfield, IL — $78,840
- Peoria, IL — $74,020
- Bloomington, IL — $74,210
- Champaign, IL — $67,360
- Rockford, IL — $65,490
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Chicago, IL?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $78,210 a year, or about $37.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,470 and $100,550.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $78,210 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $60,124 a year ($5,010 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,727 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,038 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #111 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Personal Financial Advisor — $113,210
- Financial Risk Specialist — $105,370
- Project Management Specialist — $105,320
- Management Analyst — $105,090
- Labor Relations Specialist — $103,570
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,750
- Insurance Underwriter — $99,840
- Financial Examiner — $98,470
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents — $93,590
- Credit Analyst — $92,900
- Cost Estimator — $83,640
- Accountant and Auditor — $82,360