Human Resources Specialist Salary in Hickory, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $64,700 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,094 take-home, or $4,341 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,584
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,011
- Medicare (1.45%)$938
- North Carolina income tax$2,073
- Take-home pay$52,094
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,620 | $21.93 | $37,524 | $3,127 |
| 25th percentile | $51,790 | $24.90 | $42,236 | $3,520 |
| Median (50th) | $64,700 | $31.11 | $52,094 | $4,341 |
| 75th percentile | $80,960 | $38.92 | $63,064 | $5,255 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,260 | $49.16 | $77,198 | $6,433 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $64,700 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $52,094 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,872 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 less concentrated in Hickory, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.74), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Hickory, NC ranks #96 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 |
| 96 | Hickory, NC | $64,700 | $52,094 | $58,872 |
*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 North Carolina
- Durham, NC — $81,100
- Fayetteville, NC — $75,440
- Charlotte, NC — $78,330
- Raleigh, NC — $74,170
- Winston, NC — $68,540
- Greensboro, NC — $67,660
- Asheville, NC — $70,210
- Wilmington, NC — $64,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Hickory, NC?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $64,700 a year, or about $31.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,790 and $80,960.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $64,700 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $52,094 a year ($4,341 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,073 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,872 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #96 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Project Management Specialist — $85,490
- Accountant and Auditor — $77,490
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $75,450
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $69,230
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $65,460
- Training and Development Specialist — $56,300