People Development Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a People Development Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a People Development Manager in the United States is $101,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,007
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $92,359 to $113,895
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $83,863

Key Factors That Influence People Development Manager Salaries

A People Development 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 People Development Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a People Development 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $87,876
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,952
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,793
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $165,842
  • Expert (over 8 years): $222,592
Levels Salary
Training ... Level People Development Manager$87,876
Training ... Level People Development Manager$112,952
People De... Level People Development Manager$100,793
Training ... Level People Development Manager$165,842
Training ... Level People Development Manager$222,592

How Do People Development 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 People Development Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $112,591.
  • California: $112,164.
  • Massachusetts: $110,669.

Top Paying Cities for People Development 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: $128,262
  • San Francisco: $126,857
  • Oakland: $124,184

What Skills Can Increase a People Development Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 18.98% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 1.42% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Inventory Control (Mentioned in 0.91% Job Postings): Inventory control or stock control can be broadly defined as "the activity of checking a shop’s stock." However, a more focused definition takes into account the more science-based, methodical practice of not only verifying a business' inventory but also focusing on the many related facets of inventory management (such as forecasting future demand) "within an organisation to meet the demand placed upon that business economically." Other facets of inventory control include supply chain management, production control, financial flexibility, and customer satisfaction. At the root of inventory control, however, is the inventory control problem, which involves determining when to order, how much to order, and the logistics (where) of those decisions. An extension of inventory control is the inventory control system. This may come in the form of a technological system and its programmed software used for managing various aspects of inventory problems , or it may refer to a methodology (which may include the use of technological barriers) for handling loss prevention in a business.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 18.98%
Guest Service 1.42%
Inventory Control 0.91%

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 People Development Manager's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $115,927
14%
Project Management $112,876
11%
Collaboration $111,859
10%

People Development Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For People Development Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, People Development Manager positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view People Development Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a People Development Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$106,774$51.05%
Biotechnology$106,774$51.05%
Financial Services$106,774$51.05%
Healthcare$106,774$51.05%
Pharmaceuticals$106,774$51.05%

How Education impacts a People Development Manager's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a People Development Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $115,036 and $122,759).

People Development Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for People Development Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 8.3%
Associates 6.1%
Bachelors 40.1%
Masters 41.9%
Doctorate 3.0%

People Development Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a People Development 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 September 01, 2026
$92,359
Average $101,690/year
$113,895
$7,697
Average $8,474/month
$9,491
$1,776
Average $1,956/week
$2,190
$44
Average $49/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $113,895 $9,491 $2,190 $55
Average $101,690 $8,474 $1,956 $49
25th Percentile $92,359 $7,697 $1,776 $44

Most common benefits for People Development Manager

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

Common company salaries for People Development Manager

Here are companies hiring for People Development Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next People Development Manager Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current People Development Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about People Development Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for People Development Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for People Development Manager roles, with salaries approximately 5% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst