Human Resources Specialists Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $59,970 -17.7% vs national
Median hourly $28.83
10th percentile $41,000
90th percentile $96,360
Employed locally 340
National median $72,910

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Human Resources Specialists
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,000
    25th
    $48,090
    50th (median)
    $59,970
    75th
    $76,690
    90th
    $96,360

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Human Resources Specialists salary vs area income 87% Median Human Resources Specialists salary is 13% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Human Resources Specialists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $114,080
    District of Columbia $102,500
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,600
    Lexington Park, MD $97,490
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $97,340
    Parkersburg-Vienna, WV $89,860

    Nearby metros — Human Resources Specialists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $102,500
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $97,340
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $84,180
    California $81,810
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $80,030
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,240

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Accountants and Auditors $71,200
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $63,010
    Training and Development Specialists $49,540
    Buyers and Purchasing Agents $66,040
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other $61,860
    Project Management Specialists $80,990

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Human Resources Specialists make per hour in Waterloo?

    The median hourly wage for Human Resources Specialists in Waterloo, IA is $28.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.99 or more per hour.

    Is Waterloo above or below average for Human Resources Specialists salaries?

    The median Human Resources Specialists salary in Waterloo, IA is 17.7% below the national median of $72,910. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Human Resources Specialists in Waterloo?

    Entry-level Human Resources Specialists (10th percentile) earn around $41,000 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,090.