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Human Resources Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Human Resources Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Resources Manager in the United States is $123,263 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $140,740
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $109,898 to $132,411
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,730
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Human Resources Manager Salaries

A Human Resources Manager'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Human Resources Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Human Resources Manager'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:

  • Human Resources Generalist IV (7+ years): $108,250
  • Human Resources Supervisor (7+ years): $105,456
  • Human Resources Manager (7+ years): $123,263
  • Associate Human Resources Director (7+ years): $154,515
  • Human Resources Director (7+ years): $173,293
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Human Resources Generalist IV7+ years$108,250
Human Resources Supervisor7+ years$105,456
Human Resources Manager7+ years$123,263
Associate Human Resources Director7+ years$154,515
Human Resources Director7+ years$173,293
View as Graph

How Do Human Resources Manager 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 Human Resources Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $136,477.
  • California: $135,959.
  • Massachusetts: $134,147.

Top Paying Cities for Human Resources Managers

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: $155,472
  • San Francisco: $153,769
  • Oakland: $150,529

What Skills Can Increase a Human Resources Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.1% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 3.15% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Benefit Administration (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Benefits administration is the process of assembling and managing the benefits an organization provides to employees.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.1%
Microsoft Office 3.15%
Benefit Administration 1.64%
See More Skills

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 a Human Resources Manager's salary.

  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Change Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering $128,194
4%
Change Management $128,194
4%
Commitment $126,961
3%
Get Latest Data

Human Resources Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Human Resources Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $137,610. While startup companies pay approximate $116,521.

Human Resources Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $116,521
Growth Stage 51~500 $123,206
Established 501~5000 $132,874
Enterprise 5000+ $137,610

Human Resources Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Human Resources Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 67% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Human Resources Manager positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Human Resources Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Human Resources Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$160,242$77.030%
Financial Services$154,079$74.025%
Internet$147,916$71.020%
Pharmaceuticals$145,450$70.018%
Energy & Utilities$141,752$68.015%

How Education impacts a Human Resources Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Human Resources Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Human Resources Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,932 and $123,691.

Human Resources Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Human Resources Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 11.0%
Associates 7.8%
Bachelors 49.4%
Masters 29.3%
Doctorate 1.3%
View as Graph

Human Resources Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Human Resources Manager'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 October 01, 2026
$109,898
Average $123,263/year
$132,411
$9,158
Average $10,272/month
$11,034
$2,113
Average $2,370/week
$2,546
$53
Average $59/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,411 $11,034 $2,546 $64
Average $123,263 $10,272 $2,370 $59
25th Percentile $109,898 $9,158 $2,113 $53

Human Resources Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Human Resources Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Human Resources Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Associate Human Resources Director $154,515 25%
International Human Resources Manager $142,980 16%

Most common benefits for Human Resources Manager

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

Common company salaries for Human Resources Manager

Here are companies hiring for Human Resources Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Human Resources Manager

1. Where can a Human Resources Manager earn the most?

A Human Resources Manager'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, a Human Resources Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Human Resources Manager is $155,472.

2. What is the highest pay for Human Resources Manager?

The highest pay for Human Resources Manager is $140,740.

3. What is the lowest pay for Human Resources Manager?

The lowest pay for Human Resources Manager is $97,730.

4. What are the responsibilities of Human Resources Manager?

Develops human resources policies and programs and directs the staff in managing and implementing programs that support employee engagement, productivity, and company objectives. Manages key HR functions, including recruiting, employee/labor relations, health and safety, compensation, benefits, training, diversity, payroll, and employee records. Develops and delivers internal staff communications. Evaluates, selects, and manages relationships with vendors to provide supplemental HR processes and services. Maintains employee records of pay, benefits, accidents, performance, and other activities and files reporting required to comply with labor laws and regulations. Collaborates with leadership on special projects. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Human Resources Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Human Resources Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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