Human Resources Specialist Salary in Rockford, IL
Human Resources Specialists in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median $65,490 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,704 take-home, or $4,309 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Rockford, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,679
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,060
- Medicare (1.45%)$950
- Illinois income tax$3,097
- Take-home pay$51,704
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Rockford, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,830 | $22.51 | $37,635 | $3,136 |
| 25th percentile | $55,530 | $26.70 | $44,194 | $3,683 |
| Median (50th) | $65,490 | $31.49 | $51,704 | $4,309 |
| 75th percentile | $79,920 | $38.42 | $61,242 | $5,104 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,930 | $45.64 | $71,059 | $5,922 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,490 buys in Rockford, IL
Prices in Rockford, IL are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 30% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $51,704 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,106 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 Rockford, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Rockford, IL ranks #157 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 |
| 157 | Rockford, IL | $65,490 | $51,704 | $56,106 |
*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
- Chicago, IL — $78,210
- Champaign, IL — $67,360
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Rockford, IL?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Rockford, IL metro area is $65,490 a year, or about $31.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,530 and $79,920.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Rockford, IL?
On the median $65,490 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $51,704 a year ($4,309 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,097 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Rockford, IL a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,106 would in a typical U.S. city. Rockford, IL ranks #157 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Rockford, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rockford, IL is $895 a month ($1,175 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 Rockford, IL
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