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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an HR Lead in California is $123,753 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, an HR Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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HR Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $136,402 | $11,367 | $2,623 | $66 |
| Average | $123,753 | $10,313 | $2,380 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,318 | $9,610 | $2,218 | $55 |
Giga ML - San Francisco, CA
HireNow Staffing - San Francisco, CA
Regal Entertainment Group - Santa Maria, CA
Regal - Santa Maria, CA
An HR Lead'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 an HR Lead'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 HR Lead | $83,027 |
| Human Res... Level HR Lead | $101,807 |
| HR Lead Level HR Lead | $122,823 |
| Human Res... Level HR Lead | $119,614 |
| Human Res... Level HR Lead | $139,808 |
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 HR Leads. 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 HR Lead 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 Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, HR Lead positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view HR Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $148,504 | $71.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an HR Lead'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 | $136,402 | $11,367 | $2,623 | $66 |
| Average | $123,753 | $10,313 | $2,380 | $59 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,318 | $9,610 | $2,218 | $55 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current HR Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Rodan Builders, Inc.
Hayward, CA
Rodan Builders, Inc. | Hayward, CA
HR Coordinator. Location: Hayward, CA. At Rodan Builders, we build schools, hospitals, public spaces, and infrastructure that strengthen our communities—bu... more
6 Days Ago
Vaco by Highspring
Los Angeles, CA
Vaco by Highspring | Los Angeles, CA
HR Manager (Day Shift). Direct Hire | Santa Fe Springs, CA | Up to $120,000 Base Salary. Overview. A rapidly growing distribution and manufacturing company... more
7 Days Ago
Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Vallejo, CA
Self-Help Federal Credit Union | Vallejo, CA
HR GeneralistWe are looking for an HR Generalist to join our team in Vallejo, CA. What You'll Do:The HR Generalist partners with and supports the Regional ... more
8 Days Ago
Sunco
Valencia, CA
Sunco | Valencia, CA
HR GeneralistThis exciting opportunity, with a generous benefits package, is an in-office position with operational hours M-F between the hours of 8:00 am-... more
8 Days Ago
Addison Group
Irvine, CA
Addison Group | Irvine, CA
HR GeneralistOur client is seeking an experienced HR Generalist to manage payroll, benefits administration, and HR operations for their organization. This ... more
8 Days Ago
Hall's Culligan Water
Oxnard, CA
Hall's Culligan Water | Oxnard, CA
HR GeneralistHall's Culligan Water has an immediate opening for a Human Resources Generalist to support our Southern California locations. Our family of co... more
8 Days Ago
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