What is the Average HR Manager Salary?
According to Glassdoor, the HR manager’s salary lies between the $81,000 and $134,000 range.
This article will explain what an HR Manager does, what an organization expects from its HR Managers, and the average salary for HR Managers across different industries.
Average HR Manager Salary
The average total compensation for an HR manager varies across different pay and compensation reporting platforms within the USA.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor reports an average base salary (based on self-reported data) of $104,178.
The majority of salaried human resources managers lie within the low to average range. In addition, the average additional cash compensation is $19,719.
Payscale
Payscale reports an average base salary of $75,121.
In addition, around 90% of human resources manager salaries are under $102,000, while the bottom 10% make less than $53,000.
Indeed
Indeed reports an average base salary of $82,861.
Indeed also reports several benefits, along with a cash bonus for managers.
Career Outlook for a Human Resources Manager
The entire HR manager salary range in the US depends on their total years of experience working as either a manager or in the general field of human resources.
HR managers have two distinct promotion paths across different industries. A current HR manager can progress to either a senior manager position or an HR director role. The HR manager can also directly advance to the position of Vice President of Human Resources. However, such a promotion also comes after progressing to a senior HR manager role and then to an HR director role.
Senior HR Manager
After gaining two to four years of experience as a human resources manager, professionals move up the ladder. This position has an average annual compensation package of $171,810 across different industries. According to Glassdoor, more than three thousand jobs are available for this senior human resources role.
Lead HR Manager
An additional few years of experience as a senior human resources manager becomes helpful for advancing to this position. The lead human resources manager is the seniormost amongst a team of managers. They receive an annual total pay of $156,468, and there are nearly thirty thousand vacancies out there for a competent lead HR manager, as per Glassdoor.
Assistant Director of HR
Moving further up the human resources manager career ladder means occupying this significantly senior managerial role. As an assistant director of HR, professionals can expect an average annual pay of $116,967, and there are many openings for this role, according to Glassdoor.
Head HR Manager
This senior role is crucial for the human resources department within bigger organizations with more complex tasks. Hence, it requires significant professional experience, and the average annual compensation is $169,131.
Vice President of HR
This senior role handles the more executive responsibilities of the human resources manager. It requires more than eight years of experience in the HR landscape, and you can expect an average annual pay of $196,663.
Human Resources Manager Salary Across Different Locations
According to Indeed, these cities offer the most attractive opportunities for human resources manager.
US West Coast
Average annual salaries for human resources manager role are as follows:
- San Diego: $75,690
- San Jose: $72,824
- Phoenix: $72,181
U.S. Midwest/Rocky Mountains
Average salary for the human resources manager role is as follows:
- Chicago: $76,370
U.S. East Coast
Average annual HR manager salaries are as follows:
- New York: $81,585
- Tampa: $65,738
U.S. South
Average annual salaries for the human resources manager role are as follows:
- Atlanta: $73,862
If you’re interested in learning more about the human resources field and technically upskilling yourself to get a better HR manager salary, you should check out the top-quality HR certifications by HR University.
Education Level for HR Manager Role
The HR manager role involves managing employees and supervising important business strategies in the field. However, a professional can get significantly better pay if they pursue a higher education qualification. An HR manager should have at least a Bachelor’s degree to get into the industry in an entry-level role.
There are many certifications that an HR manager should get to showcase their managerial skills and human resources knowledge. Some prominent certifications from leading institutions are given below:
- HR University: You can find high-quality HR management certifications at HR University.
- eCornell: It is the official e-learning portal of Cornell University and offers a certificate program in Human Resources management.
- HRCI: It offers many certifications in human resources management for HR professionals at different levels.
HR Manager Salary Across Top Companies
As per Glassdoor, here is what the annual average HR manager salary looks like in some of the top firms across different industries.
- Amazon: $120,464
- Microsoft: $127,979
- Comcast: $82,053
- Cisco Systems: $148,339
- Target: $119,145
Conclusion
HR managers are versatile members of the human resources department and have to multitask consistently. They have to communicate with multiple stakeholders simultaneously and ensure the human resources department’s smooth functioning Plus, since it’s not a specialist position, the right individual needs to have a particular set of capabilities, such as collaborating with roles like human resources business partner and talent acquisition manager.
Since they handle so many duties, HR managers get significantly better compensation than average HR personnel in organizations. Therefore, if you have extensive human resources abilities and experience and want to work in a job that handles multiple aspects of HR, the human resource manager position could be perfect for you. However, bear the multiple factors that affect HR manager salaries in mind.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the salary of an HR Manager.
What is the common salary for an HR Manager?
The common HR Manager salary can vary significantly based on factors such as industry, location, and the size of the company. On average, HR Managers can expect to earn between $60,000 to $90,000 per year in most industries. However, salaries can increase to six figures, particularly for experienced professionals working in larger organizations or in regions with higher costs of living.
How do recent HR Manager salaries compare to previous years?
Recent HR Manager salaries have seen a steady increase due to rising demand for skilled HR professionals. Many businesses now recognize the strategic importance of HR, which has driven up compensation for this role. Recent trends indicate that HR Manager jobs in tech and finance sectors, in particular, offer higher pay compared to other industries.
Is there a difference in salary between an HR Manager and an HR Business Partner?
Yes, there is often a difference in salary between an HR Manager and an HR Business Partner. While both roles are crucial in managing human resources, HR Business Partners typically work closely with leadership to align HR strategies with business objectives. As a result, HR Business Partners tend to have higher earning potential compared to traditional HR Manager roles, especially in large organizations.
Can anonymous hr manager employees deal with sensitive issues?
HR Managers are often required to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive employee matters. While they can remain anonymous in specific situations, such as when handling anonymous complaints or sensitive internal investigations, the HR Manager job title still places them in a position of authority and responsibility within the company, meaning they need to ensure transparency when necessary.
What factors influence HR Manager salaries?
Several factors influence, for the job title, HR Manager salaries, including geographic location, industry, company size, and the manager’s level of experience. HR Manager jobs in metropolitan areas or at large, global companies typically offer higher salaries. Additionally, HR Managers with specialized certifications or advanced degrees tend to command higher compensation packages.
Where can I find HR Manager jobs with competitive salaries?
HR Manager jobs with competitive salaries can be found across a range of industries, including technology, finance, and healthcare. Job boards, company websites, and professional networking platforms like LinkedIn are excellent resources for finding HR Manager opportunities. Additionally, larger organizations often advertise openings for HR leadership roles, which tend to offer higher compensation.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR manager role, we recommend taking our HR Management Certification Course, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
