Human Resources Specialist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $74,170 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,558 take-home, or $4,880 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,487
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,599
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,075
- North Carolina income tax$2,451
- Take-home pay$58,558
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,060 | $23.11 | $39,387 | $3,282 |
| 25th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 | $48,558 | $4,047 |
| Median (50th) | $74,170 | $35.66 | $58,558 | $4,880 |
| 75th percentile | $97,670 | $46.96 | $74,153 | $6,179 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,700 | $60.43 | $92,675 | $7,723 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,170 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $58,558 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,657 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.3× the national concentration of human resources specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #86 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 |
| 86 | Raleigh, NC | $74,170 | $58,558 | $59,657 |
*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
- Winston, NC — $68,540
- Hickory, NC — $64,700
- Greensboro, NC — $67,660
- Asheville, NC — $70,210
- Wilmington, NC — $64,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $74,170 a year, or about $35.66 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,070 and $97,670.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $74,170 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $58,558 a year ($4,880 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,451 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,657 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #86 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Personal Financial Advisor — $104,780
- Project Management Specialist — $102,280
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $99,200
- Management Analyst — $96,820
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,950
- Budget Analyst — $80,590
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $80,390
- Compliance Officer — $79,570
- Cost Estimator — $79,230
- Insurance Underwriter — $79,210
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $78,980
- Logistician — $78,420