Human Resources Specialist Salary in Denver, CO
Human Resources Specialists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $82,550 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,980 take-home, or $5,332 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,331
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,118
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,197
- Colorado income tax$2,924
- Take-home pay$63,980
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,130 | $25.54 | $43,241 | $3,603 |
| 25th percentile | $63,520 | $30.54 | $51,132 | $4,261 |
| Median (50th) | $82,550 | $39.69 | $63,980 | $5,332 |
| 75th percentile | $105,910 | $50.92 | $79,386 | $6,616 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,870 | $65.32 | $98,863 | $8,239 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,550 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $63,980 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,483 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.3× 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
Denver, CO ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Denver, CO | $82,550 | $63,980 | $60,483 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $82,550 a year, or about $39.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,520 and $105,910.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $82,550 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $63,980 a year ($5,332 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,924 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,483 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #26 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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