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HR Business Partner I Salary in the United States

How much does an HR Business Partner I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an HR Business Partner I in the United States is $65,496 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, an HR Business Partner I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,811
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,688 to $70,895
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,400
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence HR Business Partner I Salaries

An HR Business Partner I'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 HR Business Partner I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an HR Business Partner I'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:

  • HR Business Partner I (0-2 years): $65,496
  • HR Business Partner II (2-4 years): $80,248
  • HR Business Partner III (4-7 years): $95,288
  • HR Business Partner IV (7+ years): $120,985
  • HR Business Partner V (7-10 years): $152,428
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
HR Business Partner I0-2 years$65,496
HR Business Partner II2-4 years$80,248
HR Business Partner III4-7 years$95,288
HR Business Partner IV7+ years$120,985
HR Business Partner V7-10 years$152,428
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How Do HR Business Partner Is 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 HR Business Partner Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,517.
  • California: $72,242.
  • Massachusetts: $71,279.

Top Paying Cities for HR Business Partner I

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: $82,610
  • San Francisco: $81,706
  • Oakland: $79,984

What Skills Can Increase an HR Business Partner I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 8.26% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Change Management (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): Change management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare , support and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. The most common change drivers include: technological evolution, process reviews, crisis, and consumer habit changes; pressure from new business entrants, acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restructuring. It includes methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, business process, budget allocations, or other modes of operation that significantly change a company or organization. Organizational change management (OCM) considers the full organization and what needs to change, while change management may be used solely to refer to how people and teams are affected by such organizational transition. It deals with many different disciplines, from behavioral and social sciences to information technology and business solutions.
  • Organizational Development (Mentioned in 1.39% Job Postings): Process of developing, implementing, and evaluating organizational strategies, structures, and procedures to create overall growth and development.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 8.26%
Change Management 1.94%
Organizational Development 1.39%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an HR Business Partner I's salary.

  • Career Counseling: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Change Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Succession Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Career Counseling $75,320
15%
Change Management $74,665
14%
Succession Planning $73,356
12%
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HR Business Partner I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

HR Business Partner I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,319. While startup companies pay approximate $62,026.

HR Business Partner I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $62,026
Growth Stage 51~500 $65,600
Established 501~5000 $70,802
Enterprise 5000+ $73,319

HR Business Partner I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For HR Business Partner I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, HR Business Partner positions in Media or Insurance typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HR Business Partner I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an HR Business Partner I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$98,244$47.050%
Biotechnology$91,694$44.040%
Pharmaceuticals$88,420$43.035%
Aerospace & Defense$85,145$41.030%
Software & Networking$81,870$39.025%

HR Business Partner I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an HR Business Partner I'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 August 01, 2026
$59,688
Average $65,496/year
$70,895
$4,974
Average $5,458/month
$5,908
$1,148
Average $1,260/week
$1,363
$29
Average $31/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,895 $5,908 $1,363 $34
Average $65,496 $5,458 $1,260 $31
25th Percentile $59,688 $4,974 $1,148 $29

HR Business Partner I Salary Growth & Career Path

HR Business Partner I

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Advancement

For an HR Business Partner I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the HR Business Partner II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,248 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for HR Business Partner I

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

Common company salaries for HR Business Partner I

Here are companies hiring for HR Business Partner I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about HR Business Partner I

1. Where can an HR Business Partner I earn the most?

An HR Business Partner I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an HR Business Partner I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an HR Business Partner I is $82,610.

2. What is the highest pay for HR Business Partner I?

The highest pay for HR Business Partner I is $75,811.

3. What is the lowest pay for HR Business Partner I?

The lowest pay for HR Business Partner I is $54,400.

4. What are the responsibilities of HR Business Partner I?

Provides human resources (HR) consultation to a designated business unit. Uses working knowledge of the business to provide HR support and guidance. Partners directly with business leaders to define and execute HR strategies that align with business objectives and key initiatives. Analyzes trends and develops strategies to resolve HR issues and make a positive impact on business results. Leads organizational assessments that convert strategies into result-driven actions. Provides change-management support as needed. Acts as a liaison with other HR functions. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for HR Business Partner I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for HR Business Partner I roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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