What the numbers say
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists in Montana was $61,860 in 2024, about 13% below the US median of $71,137. That gap is real, but it narrows once you account for cost of living. Montana's price index sits at 96.8, meaning everyday expenses run slightly below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, the Montana median comes out closer to $63,900 in national-baseline dollars, which cuts the gap to roughly 10%.
The spread between bottom and top earners is wide. The 10th percentile landed at $43,980 and the 90th at $99,720. Top earners here make about 2.3 times what entry-level peers do, which reflects how much experience, specialization, and the size of the employer matter in this field. A generalist HR coordinator at a small manufacturing firm and a senior HR business partner at a regional hospital can both fall under the same occupational code.
The mean annual wage of $67,120 runs above the median by about $5,260. That tells us a smaller group of higher-paid specialists pulls the average up, so the median is the more useful number for someone early in their career.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 6.2% from 2024 to 2034, a pace it classifies as faster than average. Montana employs roughly 2,200 HR Specialists in total, a relatively small pool, so even modest hiring activity can shift conditions quickly.
Salary distribution
Where Montana 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 $49,910 and $78,390, with a median of $61,860.
Human Resources Specialists pay by experience level in Montana
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 Montana 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 Montana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists in Montana is $61,860.
- How does Montana compare to the national median for Human Resources Specialists?
- The Montana median is -13.0% versus the BLS national figure of $71,137.
- What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists in Montana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $43,980 and the 90th-percentile at $99,720, 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.