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.
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 #34 of 217 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $94,520 | $71,704 | $82,356 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 3 | Davenport, IA | $79,670 | $62,502 | $70,165 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $83,810 | $63,615 | $70,044 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $76,550 | $62,449 | $68,723 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $90,290 | $72,349 | $68,508 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | $61,659 | $68,077 |
| 34 | 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 217 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $77,740
- Worcester, MA — $77,290
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 #34 of 217 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%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
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- Financial Risk Specialist — $132,580
- Labor Relations Specialist — $118,520
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $117,520
- Project Management Specialist — $114,990
- Insurance Underwriter — $106,170
- Financial Examiner — $105,230
- Compliance Officer — $103,940
- Loan Officer — $103,400
- Cost Estimator — $102,640
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $102,390
- Credit Analyst — $101,890