Average Human Resources Specialist Salary in Baltimore, MD

The average Human Resources Specialist in Baltimore, MD earns $85,260 per year. See how this compares to the national average and what it means for your budget.

Average Salary
$85260
Median Salary
$78370
vs. National
12.1% above
Real Pay (COL-adjusted)
$81599

“Real pay” adjusts the average for Baltimore’s cost of living (Regional Price Parity 104.487, U.S. average = 100) — what this salary is worth in national-average dollars.

What Human Resources Specialists actually earn in Baltimore

The spread from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th), from BLS wage data.

10th (entry) $50470
25th $60860
Median $78370
75th $103350
90th (top) $132350

7960 Human Resources Specialists employed in the Baltimore metro.

Can a Human Resources Specialist afford a home in Baltimore?

Max home price under the 28% rule (housing ≤ 28% of gross), 10% down, 6.7% 30-yr rate. Median Baltimore home: $219300.

Earnings levelSalaryMax homeMedian home?
Entry (10th)$50470$20277892%
Median$78370$314874Yes
Top (90th)$132350$531755Yes

What’s this salary worth in another city?

What you earn (or want to compare)

Take-home pay for a Human Resources Specialist in Baltimore

Estimated pay after federal, FICA, and MD state taxes (2026). Prefilled with the local average — adjust for your situation.

Estimate only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, federal + FICA + state (single or married filing jointly). Excludes local/city income taxes (e.g., NYC, Philadelphia) and individual credits. See our methodology.

Baltimore at a glance

Population577193
Median household income$59623
Median home value$219300
Median rent$1290/mo
Cost of living (RPP, U.S.=100)104.487
Bachelor’s degree or higher18.1%
Poverty rate19.4%

In Baltimore, MD, Human Resources Specialists earn a median of $78,370 a year — about 3% above the U.S. median of $76,060. Among the 50 metros tracked here for this role, that ranks #10.

What that pay is worth in Baltimore

Local prices run 104 on the BEA cost-of-living index (U.S. = 100), so a $85,260 salary buys less than it looks — about $81,599 in national-average buying power.

Can Human Resources Specialists afford a home in Baltimore?

A typical Baltimore home runs about $219,300 — 2.6 times the average Human Resources Specialist salary, very affordable against the classic 3x rule of thumb. Median rent near $1,290/mo takes roughly 18% of gross pay — within the 30% comfort line.

The Human Resources Specialist pay ladder in Baltimore

Entry-level (10th percentile) Human Resources Specialists earn about $50,470; the top 10% reach $132,350 — a $81,880 spread, wide for this field. Most of that gap comes down to experience, employer, and how hard you negotiate.

The Human Resources Specialist job market in Baltimore

Baltimore employs roughly 7,960 Human Resources Specialists. It’s a sizable local market to build a career in.

Compare Baltimore with other cities

See the full Human Resources Specialist salary by city ranking to weigh Baltimore against the other metros on both pay and cost-adjusted value, or use the cost-of-living calculator to compare any two cities directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Human Resources Specialists make in Baltimore?

The average Human Resources Specialist in Baltimore, MD earns about $85,260 per year, 12.1% above the national average of $76,060.

What is the take-home pay for Human Resources Specialists in Baltimore after taxes?

After federal and MD taxes, this $85,260 salary is worth about $64,972 a year - roughly $5,414 a month in take-home pay, an effective tax rate near 24%.

What do the highest-paid Human Resources Specialists earn in Baltimore?

The top 10% of Human Resources Specialists in Baltimore earn about $132,350 a year, versus about $50,470 for the bottom 10%.

Can Human Resources Specialists afford a home in Baltimore?

A typical Baltimore home runs about $219,300 - roughly 2.6x this salary, within reach by the classic 3x rule of thumb.

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