Human Resources Specialist Salary in Topeka, KS
Human Resources Specialists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median $76,690 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,302 take-home, or $4,942 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Topeka, KS. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,042
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,755
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,112
- Kansas income tax$3,480
- Take-home pay$59,302
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.58% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Topeka, KS
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,120 | $23.62 | $39,707 | $3,309 |
| 25th percentile | $60,430 | $29.05 | $48,163 | $4,014 |
| Median (50th) | $76,690 | $36.87 | $59,302 | $4,942 |
| 75th percentile | $103,630 | $49.82 | $76,751 | $6,396 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,610 | $54.62 | $83,215 | $6,935 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,690 buys in Topeka, KS
Prices in Topeka, KS are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 35% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $59,302 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,766 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 Topeka, KS as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Topeka, KS ranks #11 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 |
| 11 | Topeka, KS | $76,690 | $59,302 | $66,766 |
*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 Kansas
- Manhattan, KS — $76,400
- Wichita, KS — $65,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Topeka, KS?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Topeka, KS metro area is $76,690 a year, or about $36.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,430 and $103,630.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Topeka, KS?
On the median $76,690 salary, a single filer living in Kansas takes home about $59,302 a year ($4,942 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,480 in Kansas taxes in 2026.
Is Topeka, KS a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,766 would in a typical U.S. city. Topeka, KS ranks #11 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Topeka, KS?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Topeka, KS is $820 a month ($1,057 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
- Project Management Specialist — $100,000
- Accountant and Auditor — $76,280
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $75,550
- Management Analyst — $66,710
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $65,340
- Training and Development Specialist — $64,470