Human Resources Specialists Salary in Illinois

Human resources specialists in Illinois earn the most in Chicago (average $83,190 a year) and the least in Kankakee ($67,550), across the 8 Illinois metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the human resources specialists average at $81,480 and the median at $76,820 for 35,430 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $81,990.

Human Resources Specialists average salary by city in Illinois

Chicago$83,190
Springfield$80,210
Peoria$78,360
Bloomington$77,970
Champaign$73,500
Rockford$70,110
Decatur$69,170
Kankakee$67,550

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Chicago	$83,190	$78,210	$61,470	$63,377	104
Springfield	$80,210	$78,840	$64,790	$61,428	93
Peoria	$78,360	$74,020	$58,610	$60,219	91
Bloomington	$77,970	$74,210	$58,790	$59,963	94
Champaign	$73,500	$67,360	$58,090	$57,040	93
Rockford	$70,110	$65,490	$55,530	$54,823	92
Decatur	$69,170	$63,700	$51,360	$54,208	88
Kankakee	$67,550	$63,720	$52,030	$53,149	96

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Human Resources Specialists salary in other states

Human Resources Specialists salary by city and state

More about pay in Illinois

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 13-1071.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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