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HR management is a career with wide pay variation — from $65,000 for a first-time HR manager at a small company to $400,000+ for a Fortune 500 CHRO. Here is what drives the difference.
HR Manager Salary Overview
By Experience Level
| Experience | Salary Range | Typical Title |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-3 years) | $55,000-$75,000 | HR coordinator, generalist |
| Mid (3-7 years) | $75,000-$110,000 | HR manager |
| Senior (7-12 years) | $110,000-$155,000 | Senior HR manager, HR director |
| Executive (12+ years) | $155,000-$400,000+ | VP of People, CHRO |
Salary by HR Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Compensation and benefits | $95,000-$140,000 |
| Talent acquisition / recruiting manager | $90,000-$130,000 |
| HR business partner (HRBP) | $100,000-$145,000 |
| Learning and development manager | $85,000-$120,000 |
| Employee relations manager | $80,000-$115,000 |
| HR generalist manager | $75,000-$110,000 |
| HRIS / HR technology manager | $90,000-$135,000 |
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Average HR Manager Salary |
|---|---|
| Technology | $130,000-$180,000 |
| Finance and insurance | $115,000-$155,000 |
| Healthcare | $95,000-$130,000 |
| Manufacturing | $90,000-$125,000 |
| Retail | $80,000-$105,000 |
| Government | $85,000-$110,000 |
| Nonprofit | $65,000-$90,000 |
Salary by State
| State | Average HR Manager Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $145,000 |
| California | $142,000 |
| Massachusetts | $132,000 |
| Washington | $128,000 |
| New Jersey | $125,000 |
| Texas | $112,000 |
| Illinois | $115,000 |
| Colorado | $112,000 |
| Florida | $100,000 |
| National average | $130,000 |
Company Size Impact
| Company Size | Typical HR Manager Salary |
|---|---|
| Under 100 employees | $65,000-$85,000 |
| 100-500 employees | $80,000-$105,000 |
| 500-2,000 employees | $100,000-$130,000 |
| 2,000-10,000 employees | $120,000-$160,000 |
| 10,000+ employees | $150,000-$250,000+ |
HR Certifications and Their Value
| Certification | Level | Average Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|
| PHR (Professional in HR) | Mid-career | +$5,000-$10,000 |
| SPHR (Senior Professional in HR) | Senior | +$12,000-$20,000 |
| SHRM-CP | Mid-career | +$5,000-$10,000 |
| SHRM-SCP | Senior | +$12,000-$20,000 |
| MBA (HR concentration) | Any level | +$15,000-$30,000 |
Career Path
| Years | Title | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | HR coordinator / assistant | $45,000-$60,000 |
| 2-5 | HR generalist | $60,000-$80,000 |
| 5-8 | HR manager | $80,000-$115,000 |
| 8-13 | HR director | $115,000-$160,000 |
| 13-18 | VP of People | $160,000-$280,000 |
| 18+ | CHRO | $250,000-$500,000+ |
Job Outlook
The BLS projects 5% growth through 2032 for HR managers. The shift to remote work, increased focus on DEI, and growing workforce complexity are creating sustained demand for experienced HR professionals.
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