What is the Average HR Director Salary?
According to the popular salary reporting platform Glassdoor, the HR director salary ranges between $77,000 and $266,000.
The average additional cash compensation and salary depend on different factors and vary from location to location throughout the USA.
This article outlines the HR director’s role and responsibilities and then discusses the average salary for the position across different locations.
Average Human Resources Director Salary
The average annual compensation statistics for the HR director role collected from different salary-reporting sources are below.
Glassdoor
As per Glassdoor, the average total pay for an HR director is $168,721 annually.
Glassdoor also reports that the HR director’s yearly salary ranges between $126,000 and $230,000. The latter amount indicates the seniority and importance of the role within the organization.
Indeed
According to Indeed, the average annual salary for the HR director position is $104,306. The HR director also receives significant benefits from employers, such as paid time off, relocation assistance, and professional development assistance.
PayScale
PayScale reports the average base salary for the HR director role as $97,154 annually. However, it also shows that the total pay of the human resources director position can increase to $149,000 once you count in additional compensations. Such figures include bonuses of up to $26,000, profit-sharing of up to $20,000, and commission of up to $98,000.
Career Outlook for the HR Director Role
The HR director is a senior position. Therefore, their career path involves transitioning to more ambitious executive roles. While they retain their leadership of the human resources department in more senior roles, their executive responsibilities increase. From an HR director role, an individual can progress to a VP of HR role through more experience.
The average salaries for more senior positions on the HR director career path (as per Glassdoor and reported in October 2024) are given below:
Vice President of HR
The VP of HR overlooks each aspect related to an organization’s human resources department and is the primary strategic voice. However, they play a massive role in the organization’s growth, too. The annual average pay for the VP of HR is $196,663.
If you are interested in upskilling yourself and gaining crucial human resources knowledge to help you rise through the ranks, you should check out our top-quality HR certifications at HR University.
Top Paying Cities for HR Directors
As per PayScale, the cities with the top-paying proposal writing positions, categorized by location in the US, are given below.
US West Coast
- San Francisco: $105,923
- Richmod: $112,098
US Midwest/Rocky Mountains
- Chicago: $103,081
US East Coast
- Reston: $132,000
- Arlington: $122,449
US South
- Tampa: $133,029
Gender Disparity in HR Director Salary
Based on over 9,000 reviews on PayScale, there is no gender pay gap regarding the job title – HR director.
The gender breakdown is as follows.
Female HR Directors: 81.1%
Male HR Directors: 18.5%
Self-Defining HR Directors: 0.4%
The average total compensation for HR director jobs depends on performance, experience, education, and the ability to perform multiple human resources functions. There haven’t been any outstanding complaints of gender disparity from any party, anonymous or otherwise.
Education Level for HR Director Role
The HR director role requires at least a Bachelor’s in business administration or human resources. However, you can also land the role with an MBA in a specialized field, like finance.
Ideally, an HR director should have multiple certifications showcasing leadership and human resources skills. Some prominent ones are mentioned below:
- HR University: Offers a top-quality HR management certification to prepare a professional for a management role.
- SHRM: Their senior certified professional certification is ideal for an HR professional aiming for a more serious role, such as an HR director.
HR Director Salary Across Top Companies
According to Glassdoor, here is the common HR director salary in some top firms across different industries.
- Intel: $193,123
- Johnson & Johnson: $178,415
- Microsoft: $191,000
- Toyota North America: $104,000
- Target: $178,000
Conclusion
The HR director provides the human resources department with consistent leadership and strategic decision-making. Additionally, they are an important executive position and help provide the organization with a direction for growth.
If you wish to become an HR director, you need significant professional experience within the HR field and solid leadership skills. Such abilities will help you get attractive job roles. However, you should keep the salary statistics for the position in mind when applying to make a better decision.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HR Director salaries.
What factors affect HR Director salaries?
HR Director salaries are influenced by several factors, including the company size, industry, location, and the individual’s experience level. Larger companies or those in high-demand industries, such as technology or finance, tend to offer higher salaries. Geographic location can also significantly affect salaries, with HR Directors in major metropolitan areas typically earning more. Additionally, an HR Director’s background, such as their years of experience and previous roles as an HR specialist recruiter, can play a crucial role in determining their compensation.
How does the job title of HR Director compare to that of a Human Resources Vice President?
While both job titles share similar responsibilities, an HR Director typically focuses on overseeing the day-to-day operations of the HR department, including managing HR specialists and recruiters. On the other hand, a Human Resources Vice President usually has a more strategic role, working on long-term HR planning and aligning human resources initiatives with the company’s broader business goals. As a result, the average salary for a Human Resources Vice President is generally higher than that of an HR Director due to the increased scope of responsibilities.
What do anonymous HR Director employees report about their salaries?
Anonymous HR Director employees often provide valuable insights into salary trends. Based on recent HR Director salaries reported anonymously, there is a broad range depending on the factors mentioned earlier. Employees in larger organizations or competitive industries tend to report higher salaries, while those in smaller companies or regions with a lower cost of living may earn less.
What are recent HR Director salary trends?
Recent HR Director salaries have shown steady growth, especially in industries where talent management and retention are critical to business success. The demand for experienced HR professionals continues to rise, and as a result, HR Directors with a strong background in managing HR operations, recruiting, and compliance can expect competitive salary offers. Additionally, employers are increasingly offering performance-based bonuses and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent in this role.
How do HR Director salaries compare to those of an HR specialist or recruiter?
An HR Director typically earns a significantly higher salary compared to an HR specialist or recruiter. While HR specialists and recruiters focus on specific HR functions such as recruitment, employee relations, or benefits administration, HR Directors oversee the entire HR department. This broader scope of responsibilities, which includes managing teams and contributing to high-level decision-making, justifies the higher salary for HR Directors.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR director 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.
