Human Resources Specialist Salary in Louisville, KY
Human Resources Specialists in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median $71,880 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,999 take-home, or $4,750 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Louisville, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,984
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,457
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,042
- Kentucky income tax$2,398
- Take-home pay$56,999
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.50% state
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro spans Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Louisville, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 | $37,464 | $3,122 |
| 25th percentile | $56,070 | $26.96 | $45,387 | $3,782 |
| Median (50th) | $71,880 | $34.56 | $56,999 | $4,750 |
| 75th percentile | $87,850 | $42.24 | $67,675 | $5,640 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,420 | $52.13 | $81,426 | $6,786 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $71,880 buys in Louisville, KY
Prices in Louisville, KY are 6.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $56,999 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,241 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 Louisville, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Louisville, KY ranks #20 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 20 | Louisville, KY | $71,880 | $56,999 | $61,241 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
About the job: human resources specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Louisville, KY?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $71,880 a year, or about $34.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,070 and $87,850.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Louisville, KY?
On the median $71,880 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $56,999 a year ($4,750 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,398 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Louisville, KY a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 6.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,241 would in a typical U.S. city. Louisville, KY ranks #20 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Louisville, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Louisville, KY is $1,026 a month ($1,248 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Louisville, KY
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- Accountant and Auditor — $76,320