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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Resource Director in California is $192,510 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.
However, a Human Resource Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Human Resource Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $211,082 | $17,590 | $4,059 | $101 |
| Average | $192,510 | $16,042 | $3,702 | $93 |
| 25th Percentile | $173,922 | $14,494 | $3,345 | $84 |
SEIU Local 1021 - Oakland, CA
Tallis - Los Angeles, CA
Maxinsights Corporation - Santa Clara, CA
Beloved Ones - Antioch, CA
A Human Resource Director'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Human Resource Director'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Human Res... Level Human Resource Director | $137,850 |
| Associate... Level Human Resource Director | $172,801 |
| Human Res... Level Human Resource Director | $193,800 |
| VP of Hum... Level Human Resource Director | $221,431 |
| SVP of Hu... Level Human Resource Director | $256,853 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Resource Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Human Resource Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Human Resource Director positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Human Resource Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $231,012 | $111.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $221,386 | $106.0 | 15% |
| Business Services | $215,611 | $104.0 | 12% |
| Chemicals | $211,761 | $102.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $207,911 | $100.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Human Resource Director'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $211,082 | $17,590 | $4,059 | $101 |
| Average | $192,510 | $16,042 | $3,702 | $93 |
| 25th Percentile | $173,922 | $14,494 | $3,345 | $84 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Human Resource Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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