Labor Relations Specialist Salary in Boston, MA
Labor Relations Specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $118,520 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $86,503 take-home, or $7,209 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$17,244
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,348
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,719
- Massachusetts income tax$5,706
- Take-home pay$86,503
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.
Labor Relations Specialist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,010 | $30.29 | $49,878 | $4,157 |
| 25th percentile | $83,480 | $40.13 | $63,604 | $5,300 |
| Median (50th) | $118,520 | $56.98 | $86,503 | $7,209 |
| 75th percentile | $133,870 | $64.36 | $96,293 | $8,024 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,980 | $77.88 | $114,100 | $9,508 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $118,520 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 labor relations specialist's $86,503 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,898 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Labor Relations Specialist jobs are about as common in Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.13).
Best-paying cities for labor relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #5 of 32 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $133,270 | $92,459 | $83,732 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $119,200 | $92,687 | $83,402 |
| 3 | Milwaukee, WI | $105,250 | $78,676 | $81,162 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $102,010 | $76,737 | $80,701 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $118,520 | $86,503 | $79,898 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $96,100 | $74,576 | $78,115 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $95,350 | $74,069 | $77,665 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $124,400 | $87,337 | $75,542 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 32 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a labor relations specialist make in Boston, MA?
The median labor relations specialist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $118,520 a year, or about $56.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $83,480 and $133,870.
What is a labor relations specialist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $118,520 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $86,503 a year ($7,209 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,706 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a labor relations specialist?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $95,420. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,898 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #5 of 32 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a labor relations 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) — 32% of a median labor relations 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
- 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
- Logistician — $101,540