Human Resources Specialist Salary in St. Louis, MO: $63,531 (2024)
Official 2024 BLS Data | $30.54/hour | $40,466 - $94,829 range
Median Annual Salary
$63,531
Hourly Rate
$30.54
/hour
Jobs in Area
642
employed
Compare to Other Cities
See All →St. Louis, MO
$63,531
San Francisco, CA
$91,673
in San Francisco, CA
Human Resources Specialist Salary Range in St. Louis, MO
Annual Salary Range
$40k
10th percentile
$52k
25th
$74k
75th
$95k
90th percentile
Salary Breakdown by Percentile
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry Level) | $40,466 | $19.45 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,144 | $25.07 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $63,531 | $30.54 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,358 | $35.75 |
| 90th Percentile (Top Earners) | $94,829 | $45.59 |
| Average (Mean) | $68,612 | $32.99 |
Human Resources Specialist Market Insights for St. Louis, MO
Compensation Overview
Human Resources Specialist compensation in St. Louis, MO aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $40,466 to $94,829 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.
Local Market Context
St. Louis, MO offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Missouri economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.
Career Outlook
The Human Resources Specialist profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 134% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.
Tips for Increasing Your Salary
- •Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 49% more than median salaries
- •Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
- •Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise
-6%
vs National Avg
-0%
vs State Avg
134%
Salary Range
642
Jobs in Area
Career Path & Salary Progression
Typical Human Resources Specialist salary growth in St. Louis, MO based on experience level.
Entry Level
0-2 years10th percentile
$40,466
/year
Early Career
2-5 years25th percentile
$52,144
/year
Mid Career
5-10 years50th percentile
$63,531
/year
Senior
10-15 years75th percentile
$74,358
/year
Expert
15+ years90th percentile
$94,829
/year
Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.
Human Resources Specialist Job Market in St. Louis, MO
Where Human Resources Specialists Work
Human Resources Specialists work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.
Local Employment Landscape
Employment in this occupation is more limited in St. Louis, MO compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.
Types of Employers Hiring
Large Corporations
Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential
Small to Medium Businesses
May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities
Government Agencies
Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance
Professional Services Firms
Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers
Skills That Increase Earning Potential
Job Search Strategy for St. Louis, MO
- •Research major employers in the St. Louis area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
- •Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Missouri
- •Tailor your salary expectations based on the St. Louis, MO market rate of $63,531
- •Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $40,466 in this market
Frequently Asked Questions
The median human resources specialist salary in St. Louis, MO is $63,531 per year ($30.54/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $40,466 for entry-level positions to $94,829 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.
Entry-level human resources specialists in St. Louis, MO typically start at around $40,466 per year ($19.45/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $63,531 within 3-5 years.
Human Resources Specialists in St. Louis, MO earn a median hourly wage of $30.54 per hour. Hourly rates range from $19.45/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $45.59/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $40,466 and $94,829.
The median human resources specialist salary of $63,531 in St. Louis, MO is slightly below the national median of $67,650 (6.1% lower). The cost of living is also 9% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of human resources specialists in the area earn more and half earn less.
Human Resources Specialists in St. Louis, MO earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $63,531 is 6.1% lower than the national median of $67,650. The cost of living is also 9% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $70,123.
The top 10% of human resources specialists in St. Louis, MO earn $94,829 or more per year ($45.59/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $74,358, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.
Key skills that can boost human resources specialist salary in St. Louis, MO include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $63,531, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($74,358) or higher. Years of relevant experience
St. Louis, MO has a moderate job market for human resources specialists, with approximately 642 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $63,531 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 9% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.
Compare your human resources specialist salary to these St. Louis, MO benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $40,466, 25th percentile: $52,144, 50th percentile (median): $63,531, 75th percentile: $74,358, 90th percentile (top earners): $94,829. If you earn more than $63,531, you're above average for the area.
Beyond the $63,531 median base salary, human resources specialists in St. Louis, MO typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.
Experienced human resources specialists with 5-10 years in St. Louis, MO typically earn $74,358 (75th percentile) to $94,829 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $94,829. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $63,531.
Human Resources Specialists in St. Louis, MO can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($40,466) to median ($63,531) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($94,829) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $54,363 over a career.
Data Source & Methodology
Official government statistics you can trust
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program
Visit Official BLS WebsiteData Year
2024
2 Years Old
Geographic Area
St. Louis
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Occupation Code
13-1071
SOC Classification
Sample Size
642
Employees Surveyed
How This Data Is Collected
The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.
Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.
Last updated: January 23, 2026
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Human Resources Specialist in St. Louis, MO
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Median: $63,531/yr
How St. Louis, MO Compares
vs National Average
$67,650
vs Missouri Average
$63,596
Cost-of-Living Adjusted
$70,123
Cost of living in St. Louis, MO is 9.4% below the national average.
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