Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Human Resources Specialist Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

In the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metropolitan area, human resources specialists earned a median annual wage of $72,700 ($34.95/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $49,300/year and the 90th was $108,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Wisconsin tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $57,167 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$72,700$34.95 per hour · $6,058 monthly
10th Percentile$49,300$23.70/hr base
25th Percentile$59,600$28.65/hr base
75th Percentile$88,000$42.31/hr base
90th Percentile$108,400$52.12/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

$72,700
$25,000$150,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$72,700
Net 79%
Fed 10%
WI 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$57,167After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,764Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,199Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate21.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$7,164 / yr
Wisconsin state income tax$2,807 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,562 / yr

Human Resources Specialists Wage Percentiles in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WI)
10th Percentile$23.70/hr$4,108$49,300$40,250
25th Percentile$28.65/hr$4,967$59,600$48,019
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$34.95/hr$6,058$72,700$57,167
75th Percentile$42.31/hr$7,333$88,000$67,023
90th Percentile$52.12/hr$9,033$108,400$80,163

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$72,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$78,218Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.93.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio92.9%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Resources Specialists Pay in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

What is the median salary for human resources specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The official BLS median annual wage for human resources specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $72,700, which equates to approximately $6,058 per month or $34.95 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for human resources specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

The median hourly wage for human resources specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI is $34.95 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $23.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $52.12/hour.

What is the pay range for human resources specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

BLS wage estimates for human resources specialists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI span from $49,300 at the 10th percentile to $59,600 at the 25th, $88,000 at the 75th, and $108,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do human resources specialists take home after taxes in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On a median gross salary of $72,700, an estimated $57,167 lands in net take-home pay per year ($2,199 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Wisconsin in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $15,533 (an effective rate of 21.4%).

How much do human resources specialists make per month in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

On the median annual salary of $72,700, gross monthly income is $6,058. After federal, FICA, and Wisconsin state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $4,764 per month (or $2,199 every two weeks).

Is $72,700 a good salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?

At $72,700, the median salary for human resources specialists is 92.9% of the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI median household income ($78,218). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.9, making regional consumer goods and services 3.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.