What is the Average HR Operations Manager Salary?
The HR Operations Manager plays a pivotal role within an organization. They oversee the department’s workflows and collaborate with various roles to maximize productivity while minimizing overhead costs. Given the importance of their responsibilities, the salary for this position reflects its significance. According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an HR Operations Manager is approximately $89,819.
Understanding the average compensation for an HR Operations Manager is crucial if considering this career path. This knowledge lets you seek appropriate job alerts and prepare for the most lucrative opportunities. Salaries for HR Operations Managers can vary widely depending on industry, location, and other factors.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the compensation statistics for HR Operations Managers, including the factors that influence salary and insights into the career trajectory. By understanding these elements, you can better prepare for a successful career in HR operations management.
HR Operations Manager Average Salary
The average salary for an HR Operations Manager can differ across various salary-reporting platforms and locations. To give you a clearer picture, here are the average compensation figures for HR Operations Managers, categorized by different salary-reporting sources.
Glassdoor
According to the compensation statistics platform Glassdoor, the average annual HR operations manager salary is $114,948. This total amount comes from a base salary of $84,735 and an additional pay of $30,213. According to the site, the salary ranges for the HR operations manager role is between $93,000 and $158,000.
PayScale
PayScale is another popular platform that compiles salary statistics from different industries and other locations. According to PayScale, the average annual HR operations manager’s salary is a base salary of $83,301, which comes from a range between $59,000 and $124,000.
It reports that the HR operations manager role receives additional compensation such as average bonus of up to $16,000 and profit-sharing of up to $8,000. The total pay for an HR operations manager lies between $55,000 and $119,000 annually.
Comparably
As per the salary estimates provider Comparably, the average HR operations manager salary within the US is $141,317. In addition, it reports an average base salary of $123,741 and that HR operations managers also get additional cash compensation.
The salary statistics vary significantly across different platforms, and the difference may arrive due to varying data collection methods. Nevertheless, the average annual HR operations manager salary across all platforms is $106,686.
Career Outlook for HR Operations Managers
The HR Operations Manager is a key senior role within the human resources department, responsible for leading the HR operations team. This role is often an organization’s first step when establishing an HR operations team. Once hired, the HR Operations Manager recruits and oversees other critical positions, such as HR Operations Administrators and HR Operations Specialists. With sufficient experience and skill development, an HR Operations Manager can advance to more senior roles within the HR field.
Career Progression
Here’s the average progression.
HR Manager
- Role Overview: The HR Manager position encompasses broader responsibilities than the HR Operations Manager role, including overseeing the entire HR department. This includes managing HR operations staff and requires advanced business administration skills due to its upper management nature.
- Average Salary: $90,932 annually.
- Experience Required: Approximately 5-7 years of professional experience.
- Career Path: The HR Manager role can lead to more senior positions, such as Senior HR Manager.
Principal HR Generalist
- Role Overview: The Principal HR Generalist is a senior position within the HR department. This role handles various HR tasks, including overseeing HR functions, leading smaller teams, and engaging in daily administrative and strategic planning activities.
- Average Salary: $145,111 annually.
- Experience Required: More than eight years of professional HR experience.
- Career Path: The Principal HR Generalist role can lead to higher executive positions, such as VP of HR.
As you progress from an HR Operations Manager, these career paths offer significant opportunities for advancement within the HR field. Each has its own set of responsibilities and corresponding compensation levels.
Vice President of HR
The VP of HR is among the senior positions within the human resources department and a vital executive position within the organization’s upper management. Therefore, they make crucial strategic decisions for the HR department and contribute to higher-level decision-making for the organization. The VP of HR directly manages the HR managers and collaborates with HR business partners to build an effective departmental workflow.
Since it is a senior role that handles several crucial duties, the VP of HR receives an annual average total compensation of $239,213. According to Glassdoor, more than 300 jobs are available within the US.
HR Operations Manager Salary Across Different Locations
According to Zippia, the location-wise categorization of cities with the highest-paying HR business partner salaries is as follows.
U.S. West Coast
- Portland: $86,103
- San Francisco: $151,443
U.S. Midwest/Rocky Mountains
- Chicago: $81,348
U.S. East Coast
- New York: $90,960
U.S. South
- Atlanta: $65,257
- Dallas: $73,324
In addition to these statistics, Zippia also reports that the average starting salary for HR operation managers is $47,000 and that the role is more common within public companies than in private companies. The highest-paying states for HR operations managers are as follows:
- Connecticut
- New York
- New Jersey
- California
- Alaska
Education Level for HR Operations Manager Role
Education and qualifications significantly influence the compensation and career prospects for an HR Operations Manager. Given the seniority of this role, a solid educational background combined with extensive professional experience is essential.
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Field of Study: Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Importance: A Bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for an HR Operations Manager role. It provides foundational knowledge in HR principles and business practices essential for managing HR operations effectively.
- Advanced Degree (Optional but Beneficial)
- Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a related advanced degree.
- Importance: An advanced degree, such as an MBA, can significantly enhance your qualifications and increase your chances of securing a well-paying HR Operations Manager position. It offers deeper insights into business strategy, management, and advanced HR practices.
Professional Certifications
- Benefits:
- Certifications provide a structured learning path and equip you with specialized skills.
- They serve as proof of your expertise and commitment to the field.
- They enhance your resume, showcasing a proactive approach to professional development.
- Examples of Relevant Certifications:
- SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
Pursuing the right certifications in addition to your degree can bolster your qualifications, demonstrate your commitment to ongoing learning, and improve your credibility as an HR Operations Manager.
Some popular certifications you can pursue to add to your credibility as an HR operations manager are given below:
- HR University: Top-quality HR management certifications that prepare you for professional HR roles.
- eCornell: A popular certificate program in Human Resources management and is a credible platform since it is the official e-learning portal of Cornell University.
- SHRM: It is an industry-standard certification portal and offers ‘Certified Professional’ and ‘Senior Certified Professional’ certificates.
By acquiring the proper certifications, you increase the possibility of achieving a top-paying HR operations manager position. In addition, these certifications help you progress to more senior roles much more quickly.
HR Operations Manager Salary Across Top Companies
According to Glassdoor, here is the annual average HR operations manager salary in some of the top firms across different industries.
- Walmart: $81,000
- PepsiCo: $97,000
- LinkedIn: $111,000
- Google: $150,000
- Nike: $119,000
Conclusion
Compensation is one of the most critical parts of any job alert, and the same is true for the HR operations manager role. To get a market-competitive salary or above, you need to know the general salary statistics of the HR operations manager role. Now that you know the average HR operations manager’s salary, you can aim for high-paying opportunities at prominent organizations that also help you climb the career ladder.
The HR operations manager role overlooks an entire department’s efficiency, productivity, and policies. Additionally, it consists of monitoring employees’ methods and executing performance management wherever needed. While the role requires the individual to wear several hats, the HR operations manager also receives a significant salary. However, the salary may vary from company to company and depends on the individual’s experience and skill set.
To achieve a high-paying HR operations manager role, you need qualifications and experience. Specifically, you need administrative and leadership skills to head the HR operations team and provide the department with constructive improvement strategies. By selecting the right opportunity within the right industry and the right location, you can ensure that you get an impressive HR operations manager job.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the HR operations manager role.
What is the role of an HR Operations Manager?
An HR Operations Manager oversees the daily functions of the human resources department. This job title involves managing tasks such as handling employee relations, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and optimizing HR processes. The HR Operations Manager maintains a work environment and ensures that HR functions operate. The role benefits the HR operations manager, employees, and the organization.
What qualifications are needed to become an HR Operations Manager?
To become an HR Operations Manager, candidates usually need a human resources and operations management background. A bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field is often required, though some positions may prefer a master’s degree or professional certifications. Experience in managing HR functions or a related role and strong organizational and leadership skills are important. Experience in a similar city or industry can also help understand specific needs and regulations.
How does the role of an HR Operations Manager differ from other HR positions?
The HR Operations Manager focuses on the operational aspects of human resources. While other HR roles may focus on recruitment, employee development, or benefits administration, the HR Operations Manager is concerned with the efficiency of HR operations. This includes streamlining processes, managing HR systems, and implementing policies and procedures. The role requires human resources principles and operational management knowledge to support the organization’s goals.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR operations manager 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.
