Human Resources Specialist salary in Boulder, CO
Human Resources Specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $86,200 a year ($41.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,370 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $75,940. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $80,840. There are 7.7 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,420 | $27.12 |
| 25th percentile | $66,810 | $32.12 |
| Median | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| 75th percentile | $124,990 | $60.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,370 | $76.62 |
| Average (mean) | $99,420 | $47.80 |
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 | $7,183.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,591.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,315.38 |
| Weekly | $1,657.69 |
| Hourly | $41.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $82,550 | 12,520 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $79,000 | 1,800 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $78,520 | 900 |
| Greeley, CO | $76,180 | 580 |
| Pueblo, CO | $68,830 | 290 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $66,660 | 280 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $94,040 | $45.21 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $97,600 | $46.93 |
| Project Management Specialist | $122,040 | $58.67 |
| Management Analyst | $131,470 | $63.21 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $83,480 | $40.14 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $79,420 | $38.19 |
| Compliance Officer | $98,350 | $47.29 |
| Logistician | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| Fundraiser | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $103,280 | $49.65 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $83,070 | $39.94 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for human resources specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $86,200 a year, or $41.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $159,370 a year. The top 25% earn $124,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,420 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $66,810 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Boulder, CO?
About 1,480 human resources specialists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.