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Colorado is the first of the four states on our list with an average HR specialist salary over $80,000 per year. The mean salary statewide was $67,870, as of 2022. More impressive is the centennial state’s projected job growth, an impressive 21.1%.

We also want to note, however, that Colorado is also a more expensive place to live. estimates the average cost of living is 20.5% higher than the U.S. national average. Still, hikers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts might be willing to pay the extra cost in order to live in this scenic, mountainous region of the country. 

The sunshine state is appealing to many. Beyond beautiful beaches and popular theme parks, Florida boasts the second highest projected job growth for human resources professionals of all the states on our list at 24%. Considering the national average job growth for the next decade is only 3%, the job outlook in the state is positive. 

Salaries are also competitive, with the average HR specialist wage $12,780 higher than the statewide mean wage. Though the cost of living is about 3.1% higher than the national average, according to , there are many less-expensive areas in the state. Just keep in mind that job opportunities are more dense in larger metropolitan areas.

Idaho's average HR specialist salaries are among the lower end of our list, but human resources professionals shouldn’t count it out as a great state for a career in the industry. Its $63,920 mean HR specialist salary is 21.8% higher than the statewide mean wage of $51,350. Job growth is also projected to be high over the next 10 years, at 11.3% — nearly four times the national average for all professions.

Iowa is a great choice for prospective human resources professionals for many reasons. Not only is the average HR specialist pay 18.6% higher than the statewide average, but the cost of living in the state is nearly 10% lower than the U.S. average, according to . 

The that Polk county — home to the capital city of Des Moines — accounts for the largest employment. In the last year, employment in the county has risen by 3%.

Kansas could also be a great place to start a human resources career. Its average annual salary for an HR specialist is $66,390, which is 22.7% higher than the statewide mean salary of $52,850. It also has a solid projected job growth of 11.8% for the next 10 years. 

Kansas has an average cost of living almost 17% lower than the national average, . The site estimates you need a minimum annual income of $31,200 to live comfortably in the state, a figure typically exceeded by the average human resources specialist.

New Jersey boasts the second highest average salary for human resources specialists on our list at $85,750. Even with a higher-than-average statewide mean wage of $70,890, HR specialists can expect to out-earn the state average by almost 20%. 

According to the BLS, Morris and Somerset counties offer the the state’s largest counties. Though the cost of living is higher in New Jersey than other parts of the country, the state’s proximity to the ocean, New York City, and other tourist hot-spots make it an attractive choice for many professionals. 

North Carolina is an up-and-coming destination for young professionals, with competitive salaries and annual population growth. The state showed the third-largest numeric population growth from 2022 to 2023, according to the . For human resources specialists, the average annual salary is $68,870, which is more than 20% higher than the statewide average. 

HR specialists can also expect steady job growth in North Carolina over the next decade. The projected in-state job growth is 14.2%, more than four times the national average. 

Though it has the lowest average salary for HR specialists on our list, Oklahoma earns its name as a top state for careers in human resources thanks to how that salary compares to the state average of $50,940. It also has a respectable projected job growth of 11.7% over the next decade. 

The good news is that your money can likely take you further if you decide to set up shop in Oklahoma. The average cost of living in the state is 17.8% lower than the national average, according to . Even the state’s most populous city — Oklahoma City — has a 14.5% lower cost of living than the U.S. average.

New England is well-known for its history, coast and four-season climate, making it an attractive place to put down roots. Rhode Island could be a good option for human resources professionals especially, thanks to the state's higher-than-average wage and favorable job outlook. 

Rhode Island is one of just four states on our list with an average HR specialist annual salary over $80,000. Its $82,330 average for HR specialists is an impressive $17,800 higher than the statewide mean salary. Projected job growth is also high at 12.6%. That’s four times the national average and twice the average for HR specialists across the country.

Among the states we analyzed, South Carolina offered the most favorable average pay for human resources specialists in comparison to its statewide average. The statewide mean annual wage in South Carolina was $50,650 as of 2022, while the average HR specialist pay was $65,280 — more than 25% higher. Projected in-state job growth was also competitive, more than five times the national average of 3%. 

, job growth in South Carolina is highest in populous counties, including York county and Charleston county.

South Dakota might be the smallest state on our list by population, but it still has a lot to offer human resources professionals. Not only does the average HR specialist earn an annual wage $12,500 higher than the statewide average, but the state is an idyllic destination for those who want to settle among beautiful scenery and enjoy a low cost of living. 

Plus, South Dakota is one of only a handful of states that does not levy a state income tax on its residents, meaning your salary could take you a bit further than other locations. 

If you’re looking for the biggest paycheck, look no further than the Evergreen State. Washington offers the highest average salary for HR specialists among the states on our list, as well as the most favorable projected job growth of 26.1%. 

Unfortunately, many major metropolitan areas in the state have a higher-than-average cost of living. Seattle, for instance, has a cost of living that is 58.1% higher than the national average, according to . While there may be less expensive areas in the state, job opportunities may be more limited.