What the numbers say
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Kansas was $76,490 in 2024, about 7.5% above the national median of $71,137. That is a real gap, not a rounding difference.
The spread across the pay range is wide. A specialist at the 10th percentile earned $45,240, while one at the 90th percentile earned $110,300. Top earners made roughly 2.4 times what those near the entry level brought home. That kind of range usually reflects a mix of experience levels, industry, and how much HR work the role covers versus what gets handed to a generalist.
Kansas has a cost-of-living index of 90, meaning prices here run about 10% below the national baseline. In practical terms, a $76,490 salary in Kansas buys closer to what $85,000 would in an average-cost state. That adjustment pushes the state's real wage advantage over the national median from 7.5% to something closer to 20%.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 6.2% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. That is a modest tailwind, not a boom, but it suggests the role is not under pressure from automation or consolidation in the near term.
Salary distribution
Where Kansas human resources specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $57,040 and $99,560, with a median of $76,490.
Human Resources Specialists pay by experience level in Kansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kansas over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Administrative
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
- 02
Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
- 03
Administer employee benefit plans.
- 04
Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- 05
Schedule or administer skill, intelligence, psychological, or drug tests for current or prospective employees.
- 06
Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
- 07
Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.
- 08
Conduct reference or background checks on job applicants.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+6.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Human Resources Specialists in Kansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists in Kansas is $76,490.
- How does Kansas compare to the national median for Human Resources Specialists?
- The Kansas median is +7.5% versus the BLS national figure of $71,137.
- What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists in Kansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $45,240 and the 90th-percentile at $110,300, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Human Resources Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 6.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Human Resources Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.