Human Resources Specialist salary in Massachusetts
Human Resources Specialists in Massachusetts earn a median of $85,630 a year ($41.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,130 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $75,940. Massachusetts ranks 2nd of 51 states for human resources specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 7.5 human resources specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for human resources specialists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,500 | $27.64 |
| 25th percentile | $67,050 | $32.23 |
| Median | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| 75th percentile | $115,060 | $55.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,130 | $69.77 |
| Average (mean) | $95,400 | $45.87 |
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 | $7,135.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,567.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,293.46 |
| Weekly | $1,646.73 |
| Hourly | $41.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Human Resources Specialist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $90,270 | 21,770 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $101,810 | $48.95 |
| Management Analyst | $134,720 | $64.77 |
| Project Management Specialist | $114,190 | $54.90 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $93,270 | $44.84 |
| Compliance Officer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $85,970 | $41.33 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Fundraiser | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Logistician | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $83,740 | $40.26 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $75,740 | $36.42 |
| Cost Estimator | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $95,890 | $46.10 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $111,260 | $53.49 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for human resources specialists in Massachusetts is $85,630 a year, or $41.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid human resources specialists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of human resources specialists in Massachusetts earn at least $145,130 a year. The top 25% earn $115,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for human resources specialists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,500 a year, and a quarter of human resources specialists earn $67,050 or less.
How many human resources specialists work in Massachusetts?
About 27,300 human resources specialists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.