SOC 13-1071 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Human Resources Specialists — Western Wisconsin
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Western Wisconsin, WI is $76,400 per year, close to the national median of $75,940 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Western Wisconsin, WI is $76,400 per year, close to the national median of $75,940 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $49,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $112,400 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $58,830 to $94,520.
The area has 580 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.5 of every thousand jobs. Madison leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $76,660. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 81st of 346 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,260 | −35.1% |
| 25th | $58,830 | −22.5% |
| Median (50th) | $76,400 | +0.6% |
| 75th | $94,520 | +24.5% |
| 90th | $112,400 | +48.0% |
| Mean | $77,910 | +2.6% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $76,660 | 2,810 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $74,970 | 5,050 | |
| 3 | Sheboygan | $73,410 | 290 | |
| 4 | Fond du Lac | $72,610 | 270 | |
| 5 | Green Bay | $72,550 | 900 | |
| 6 | Oshkosh | $68,940 | 530 | |
| 7 | Racine | $67,200 | 400 | |
| 8 | Wausau | $66,750 | 330 | |
| 9 | La Crosse | $65,400 | 390 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $64,900 | 390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $76,400 goes as far as $81,190 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$81,190US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,400 a year, 0.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,260 to $112,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 580 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $76,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Western Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $76,400, or $36.73 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $75,940, so pay in Western Wisconsin, WI is 0.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Western Wisconsin, WI earns more than $112,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,260 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Madison, at $76,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 580 jobs in this occupation in Western Wisconsin, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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