Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Human Resources Specialist Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, human resources specialists earned a median annual wage of $68,500 ($32.93/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $43,900/year and the 90th was $118,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $54,795 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$68,500$32.93 per hour · $5,708 monthly
10th Percentile$43,900$21.11/hr base
25th Percentile$53,300$25.63/hr base
75th Percentile$90,900$43.70/hr base
90th Percentile$118,200$56.83/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$68,500
$25,000$140,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$68,500
Net 80%
Fed 9%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$54,795After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,566Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,108Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate20%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,240 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$2,224 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,240 / yr

Human Resources Specialists Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Human Resources Specialists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$21.11/hr$3,658$43,900$36,211
25th Percentile$25.63/hr$4,442$53,300$43,389
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$32.93/hr$5,708$68,500$54,795
75th Percentile$43.70/hr$7,575$90,900$69,660
90th Percentile$56.83/hr$9,850$118,200$87,776

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$68,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio109.1%of area median income

Compare human resources specialists salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources Specialists Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $68,500, which equates to approximately $5,708 per month or $32.93 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $32.93 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $21.11/hour and one in ten earned more than $56.83/hour.

What is the pay range for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for human resources specialists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $43,900 at the 10th percentile to $53,300 at the 25th, $90,900 at the 75th, and $118,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do human resources specialists take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $68,500, an estimated $54,795 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,108 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $13,705 (an effective rate of 20%).

How much do human resources specialists make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $68,500, gross monthly income is $5,708. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,566 per month (or $2,108 every two weeks).

Is $68,500 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $68,500, the median salary for human resources specialists is 109.1% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.