Human Resources Specialist Salary in Winston, NC
Human Resources Specialists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median $68,540 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,822 take-home, or $4,568 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Winston, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,249
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,249
- Medicare (1.45%)$994
- North Carolina income tax$2,226
- Take-home pay$54,822
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Winston, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,780 | $22.01 | $37,646 | $3,137 |
| 25th percentile | $53,870 | $25.90 | $43,824 | $3,652 |
| Median (50th) | $68,540 | $32.95 | $54,822 | $4,568 |
| 75th percentile | $91,860 | $44.16 | $70,297 | $5,858 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,840 | $56.65 | $87,537 | $7,295 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $68,540 buys in Winston, NC
Prices in Winston, NC are 8.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $54,822 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,561 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 Winston, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.86).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Winston, NC ranks #89 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 |
| 89 | Winston, NC | $68,540 | $54,822 | $59,561 |
*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
- 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 Winston, NC?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $68,540 a year, or about $32.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,870 and $91,860.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Winston, NC?
On the median $68,540 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $54,822 a year ($4,568 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,226 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 8.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,561 would in a typical U.S. city. Winston, NC ranks #89 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Winston, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Winston, NC is $1,031 a month ($1,164 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Winston, NC
- Personal Financial Advisor — $100,560
- Management Analyst — $82,050
- Project Management Specialist — $79,560
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,950
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $78,190
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $75,310
- Compliance Officer — $74,980
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $73,320
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $71,930
- Cost Estimator — $71,220
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $63,560
- Training and Development Specialist — $59,860