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CHRO Salary in the United States

How much does a CHRO make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a CHRO in the United States is $350,120 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $168.

However, a CHRO's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $408,828
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $316,890 to $380,850
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $286,636
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence CHRO Salaries

A CHRO's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects CHRO Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a CHRO's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Deputy Director of Human Resources (5+ years): $154,500
  • Director of Human Resources (5+ years): $173,276
  • Top Division HR Executive (5+ years): $197,964
  • Senior Vice President of Human Resources (5+ years): $229,640
  • CHRO (5+ years): $350,111
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Deputy Director of Human Resources5+ years$154,500
Director of Human Resources5+ years$173,276
Top Division HR Executive5+ years$197,964
Senior Vice President of Human Resources5+ years$229,640
CHRO5+ years$350,111
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How Do CHRO Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CHROs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $387,650.
  • California: $386,180.
  • Massachusetts: $381,030.

Top Paying Cities for CHROs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $441,600
  • San Francisco: $436,760
  • Oakland: $427,560

CHRO Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

CHRO salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $391,274. While startup companies pay approximate $330,978.

CHRO Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $330,978
Growth Stage 51~500 $350,042
Established 501~5000 $377,825
Enterprise 5000+ $391,274

CHRO Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For CHRO roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, CHRO positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view CHRO as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a CHRO

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$437,650$210.025%
Biotechnology$420,144$202.020%
Pharmaceuticals$420,144$202.020%
Energy & Utilities$402,638$194.015%
Chemicals$385,132$185.010%

CHRO Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a CHRO's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$316,890
Average $350,120/year
$380,850
$26,408
Average $29,177/month
$31,738
$6,094
Average $6,733/week
$7,324
$152
Average $168/hour
$183
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $380,850 $31,738 $7,324 $183
Average $350,120 $29,177 $6,733 $168
25th Percentile $316,890 $26,408 $6,094 $152

Most common benefits for CHRO

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for CHRO

Here are companies hiring for CHRO and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about CHRO

1. What industry pays the highest salary for CHRO?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for CHRO roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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