Human Resources Specialist Salary in Boulder, CO
Human Resources Specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $86,200 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,387 take-home, or $5,532 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,134
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,344
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,250
- Colorado income tax$3,084
- Take-home pay$66,387
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,420 | $27.13 | $45,739 | $3,812 |
| 25th percentile | $66,810 | $32.12 | $53,600 | $4,467 |
| Median (50th) | $86,200 | $41.44 | $66,387 | $5,532 |
| 75th percentile | $124,990 | $60.09 | $91,906 | $7,659 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,370 | $76.62 | $113,892 | $9,491 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,200 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $66,387 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,105 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, 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
Boulder, CO ranks #30 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 |
| 30 | Boulder, CO | $86,200 | $66,387 | $63,105 |
*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 Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $79,000
- Fort Collins, CO — $78,520
- Denver, CO — $82,550
- Greeley, CO — $76,180
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Boulder, CO?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $86,200 a year, or about $41.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,810 and $124,990.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $86,200 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $66,387 a year ($5,532 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,084 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,105 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #30 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Management Analyst — $131,470
- Project Management Specialist — $122,040
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $108,080
- Accountant and Auditor — $99,990
- Compliance Officer — $98,350
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $97,600
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $94,040
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $83,480
- Personal Financial Advisor — $83,070
- Training and Development Specialist — $79,420