Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Resource Director in Washington is $189,246 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $91.
However, a Human Resource Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
Human Resource Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $207,504 | $17,292 | $3,990 | $100 |
| Average | $189,246 | $15,771 | $3,639 | $91 |
| 25th Percentile | $170,974 | $14,248 | $3,288 | $82 |
All Ways Caring HomeCare - East Wenatchee, WA
Shredfast - Airway Heights, WA
US Navy - Seattle, WA
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders - Freeland, WA
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 | $135,513 |
| Associate... Level Human Resource Director | $169,871 |
| Human Res... Level Human Resource Director | $190,515 |
| VP of Hum... Level Human Resource Director | $217,677 |
| SVP of Hu... Level Human Resource Director | $252,499 |
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 | $227,095 | $109.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $217,633 | $105.0 | 15% |
| Business Services | $211,956 | $102.0 | 12% |
| Chemicals | $208,171 | $100.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $204,386 | $98.0 | 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 | $207,504 | $17,292 | $3,990 | $100 |
| Average | $189,246 | $15,771 | $3,639 | $91 |
| 25th Percentile | $170,974 | $14,248 | $3,288 | $82 |
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.
Columbia Industries
Kennewick, WA
Columbia Industries | Kennewick, WA
Job Title:Human Resources ManagerDepartment:AdministrationReports To:Chief Executive OfficerFLSA Status:ExemptColumbia Ability Alliance Kennewick, WASalary... more
7 Days Ago
Kalera | 80 Acres Farms
Olympia, WA
Kalera | 80 Acres Farms | Olympia, WA
Job Title. Location 8000 31st Avenue Northeast, Lacey, WA, 98516, United States. Employee Type Full Time. Manage Others No more
8 Days Ago
ADEPT Talent Solutions
Kent, WA
ADEPT Talent Solutions | Kent, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Position SummaryOur client is seeking an outstanding Human Resources Generalist to join the NW Carpenters Union team. The... more
8 Days Ago
Columbia Hospitality
Seattle, WA
Columbia Hospitality | Seattle, WA
Human Resource Coordinator Cedarbrook LodgeThe People & Culture Coordinator at Cedarbrook Lodge plays a key role in bringing our people-first philosophy to... more
7 Days Ago
County of King Washington
Seattle, WA
County of King Washington | Seattle, WA
As an HR Associate, you will be a key member of the Employment & Hiring Team and will provide administrative support for Public Healths recruitment and onb... more
7 Days Ago
Boyne Resorts
Snoqualmie Pass, WA
Boyne Resorts | Snoqualmie Pass, WA
OverviewAbout UsThe Summit at Snoqualmie is a day ski resort destination serving the Pacific Northwest with 1,400seasonal team members across four base are... more
7 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
