Human Resources Specialist salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Human Resources Specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $90,270 a year ($43.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 21,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,660 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 5% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $85,630. There are 8.1 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $96,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,280 | $28.02 |
| 25th percentile | $68,650 | $33.00 |
| Median | $90,270 | $43.40 |
| 75th percentile | $121,700 | $58.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,660 | $70.51 |
| Average (mean) | $96,840 | $46.56 |
Half of human resources specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,522.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,761.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,471.92 |
| Weekly | $1,735.96 |
| Hourly | $43.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $80,770 | 310 |
| Springfield, MA | $77,740 | 1,030 |
| Worcester, MA | $77,290 | 2,050 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $76,930 | 4,180 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $76,020 | 400 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $74,760 | 1,070 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $74,210 | 290 |
Highest-paying states for human resources specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,970 |
| Massachusetts | $85,630 |
| Washington | $84,550 |
| New York | $84,380 |
| Maryland | $83,910 |
| California | $83,500 |
| Connecticut | $82,890 |
| Virginia | $82,090 |
| Colorado | $80,840 |
| New Jersey | $80,690 |
See Human Resources Specialist pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Management Analyst | $135,640 | $65.21 |
| Project Management Specialist | $114,990 | $55.28 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,340 | $47.28 |
| Compliance Officer | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $93,010 | $44.72 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $83,800 | $40.29 |
| Fundraiser | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| Logistician | $101,540 | $48.82 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Cost Estimator | $102,640 | $49.35 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $118,520 | $56.98 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $90,270 a year, or $43.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $146,660 a year. The top 25% earn $121,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,280 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $68,650 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 21,770 human resources specialists are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.