What is the Average HR Administrator Salary?
An HR Administrator supervises all administration-related tasks within the human resources department. In most companies, they are the first point of contact for all administrative inquiries. A human resources administrator can also function as a generalist or specialist because they are well-versed in recruitment, setting up interviews, and handling employment contracts. Since they have many duties, organizations ensure that their HR administrators receive competitive compensation.
According to the popular salary reporting platform Glassdoor, the HR administrator’s salary is between $53,000 and $77,000.
This article will explain the role of the HR administrator, take you through what duties they have to fulfill, how to become one, and their average compensation statistics.
Average HR Administrator Salary by The Numbers
Like the salary of other HR professionals, the average salary of an HR administrator varies across different job reporting platforms.
Some reports from some major salary and compensation reporting platforms are given below.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor reports an average base salary (based on self-reported data) of $62,906.
Most of the salaried HR administrators fall within the average range. Additionally, the average annual additional cash compensation is $17,294.
Payscale
Payscale reports that HR administrators have an average base salary of $55,434.
In addition, the HR administrator’s salary can reach $76,000, with a bottom average of $42,000.
Economic Research Institute
The Economic Research Institute reports an average base salary of $68,282 at an hourly rate of $33/hr.
It also reports an average salary bonus of $1,659.
Career Outlook for a Human Resource Administrator
An HR administrator can get a better salary by diversifying their human resources skills or getting a job title in a company offering better salary packages for administrators with experience levels.
After this role, a professional gains the necessary experience to move to more senior roles like HR generalist or HR manager. Afterward, the individual can move to an HR director role.
If you’re interested in learning more about the human resources field and increasing your salary, you should look into the HR certification courses at HR University.
The average salaries for more senior positions on the HR generalist career path are given below:
HR Manager
This role oversees the everyday implementation of critical human resources tasks. An HR manager receives total annual compensation of $103,535 and requires two to four years of experience with HR.
Senior HR Manager
This role is a much more senior position within the department, and the average annual compensation for a senior HR manager reaches $118,618. Additionally, most vacancies require the individual to have at least five years of experience within the HR field.
HR Director
The HR director role can receive an annual total pay of up to $168,155.
Top Paying Cities for HR Administrators
According to Indeed, these cities offer the most attractive opportunities for HR Administrators.
U.S. West Coast
- San Diego: $71,166
- San Jose: $76,953
- Phoenix: $67,829
U.S. Midwest/Rocky Mountains
- Chicago: $68,056
U.S. East Coast
- New York: $76,666
- Tampa: $65,738
U.S. South
Average annual salaries for HR business partners are as follows:
- Atlanta: $69,409
- Dallas: $68,853
Out of all the states, Washington, California, and Massachusetts have the most cities with the highest national average human resources administrator salaries. In addition, California has the highest number of HR administrator jobs. However, these salary averages have varied in the past few years.
If you’re interested in learning more about the human resources field and increasing your salary, you should look into the HR certification courses at HR University.
Education Level for HR Administrator Role
The HR administrator is an entry-level role, and organizations require basic education qualifications for hiring. You can rise quickly and get better-paying roles with better qualifications. Alternatively, a better degree will help you earn better compensation while staying as an HR administrator.
An HR administrator should at least have a Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or business administration. Such qualification helps companies ensure their HR administrators have essential communication and management skills.
While certifications are not necessary for entry-level positions like HR administrators, pursuing one can benefit career growth. Some prominent ones are given below:
- HR University: Its HR Management certification can help administrators gain the necessary skills to advance professionally.
- University of Washington: Offers a Human Resources Management certificate for HR professionals who want to transition to management roles.
Watch below to learn more about the educational requirements for the HR administrator role.
HR Administrator Salary Across Top Companies
According to Glassdoor, here is the annual average HR administrator salary in some of the top firms across different industries.
- Amazon: $63,400
- Apple: $59,000
- IKEA: $52,712
- 3M: $74,712
- Unity: $73,000
Conclusion
HR administrators are critical members of the human resources department. Their superiors and the entire HR workforce depend on them to manage fundamental human resources tasks within the company. Therefore, organizations compensate them adequately and provide employee benefits and incentives.
If you wish to enter the human resources field and are willing to work closely with employees in all other departments, the human resources administrator position is for you.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HR administrator salary.
What is the average salary for an HR administrator based on job title?
The salary for an HR administrator can vary depending on the job title, experience level, and responsibilities. HR administrators who take on broader roles, such as managing benefits or payroll, may receive higher compensation. Employers often adjust salaries based on the complexity of the tasks associated with the specific job title.
How does the city affect an HR administrator’s salary?
The city where you work can impact your salary as an HR administrator. Salaries tend to be higher in metropolitan areas where the cost of living is greater. For example, HR administrators in major cities like New York or San Francisco generally earn more than those working in smaller towns. Employers may also offer different compensation packages depending on each city’s local job market conditions.
How do employers determine an HR administrator’s salary?
Employers set an HR administrator’s salary based on several factors, including experience, education, and the company’s size. Larger organizations may offer higher wages due to the increased complexity and volume of HR tasks. Additionally, employers look at market trends to ensure their compensation packages are competitive in attracting top talent.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR administrator role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft an excellent HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
