Human Resources Specialist Salary in Boston, MA
Human Resources Specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $90,270 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $68,041 take-home, or $5,670 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,029
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,597
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,309
- Massachusetts income tax$4,294
- Take-home pay$68,041
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,280 | $28.02 | $46,314 | $3,859 |
| 25th percentile | $68,650 | $33.00 | $53,913 | $4,493 |
| Median (50th) | $90,270 | $43.40 | $68,041 | $5,670 |
| 75th percentile | $121,700 | $58.51 | $88,581 | $7,382 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,660 | $70.51 | $104,395 | $8,700 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $90,270 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $68,041 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,847 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.4× the national concentration of human resources specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #11 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $90,270 | $68,041 | $62,847 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
About the job: human resources specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Boston, MA?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $90,270 a year, or about $43.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,650 and $121,700.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $90,270 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $68,041 a year ($5,670 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,294 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,847 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #11 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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