What the numbers say
The median wage for Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina was $64,720 in 2024, about 9% below the US median of $71,137. That gap is real, but it narrows considerably once you account for the cost of living. South Carolina's price index sits at 96.6, meaning everyday costs run roughly 3.4% below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, the in-state median works out closer to $67,000 in national-equivalent dollars, which cuts the shortfall to around 6%.
The spread between low and high earners is wide. The 10th percentile comes in at $41,600, while the 90th reaches $115,750. Top earners here make close to three times what entry-level HR Specialists do. That kind of range typically reflects differences in seniority, the size of the employer, and whether someone is handling generalist HR work or specializing in areas like compensation or employee relations. In South Carolina, the manufacturing sector's scale and the state's growing logistics and distribution base likely push wages up at the senior end of the range.
The average wage of $72,850 runs above the median by about $8,000. A smaller group of higher-paid specialists pulls that average up. For most HR Specialists in the state, the median is a more accurate target.
On the outlook side, BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 6.2% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. That projection is national, not South Carolina-specific, but it gives a reasonable directional signal.
Salary distribution
Where South Carolina 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 $49,220 and $86,940, with a median of $64,720.
Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $88,546. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $62,650 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $125,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $86,773 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Corporation | Process Excellence & Transformation Professional | 1 | $88,546 |
| Red Hat, Inc. | HR Business Partner | 1 | $88,546 |
| KRA Operations, LLC | Human Resources Specialist | 1 | $85,000 |
| GE VERNOVA INTERNATIONAL LLC | LEAD HUMAN RESOURCES PARTNER | 1 | $125,000 |
| ECCLESIASTES, INC. | Technical Global Mobility Manager | 1 | $62,650 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Process Excellence & Transformation Professional at IBM Corporation$88,546EasleyDecided Dec 23, 2025I-200-25350-488443
- HR Business Partner at Red Hat, Inc.$88,546EasleyWage Level IVDecided Sep 25, 2025I-200-25261-319271
- Human Resources Specialist at KRA Operations, LLC$85,000ProsperityWage Level IVDecided Jul 1, 2025I-200-25175-125460
- LEAD HUMAN RESOURCES PARTNER at GE VERNOVA INTERNATIONAL LLC$125,000GREENVILLEWage Level IIIDecided May 12, 2025I-200-25125-939577
- Technical Global Mobility Manager at ECCLESIASTES, INC.$62,650INDIAN LANDWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-924863
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Human Resources Specialists pay by experience level in South Carolina
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.
Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $88,546.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | IBM Corporation | 3 | $88,546 |
| Manufacturing | KRA Operations, LLC | 1 | $85,000 |
| Professional services | GE VERNOVA INTERNATIONAL LLC | 1 | $125,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Human Resources Specialists
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Human Resources Specialists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina is $64,720.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Human Resources Specialists?
- The South Carolina median is -9.0% versus the BLS national figure of $71,137.
- What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $41,600 and the 90th-percentile at $115,750, 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.