Human Resources Manager Salary in 2026
Human resources managers plan and coordinate HR activities including recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance with employment regulations.
Median Salary
$149,280
$12,440/mo
Entry Level
$96,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$189,100
experienced
Job Growth
+7%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Human Resources Managers (SOC 11-3121) at a national median of $149,280 per year (mean $164,230), or $71.77 per hour, with 220,660 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Human Resources Manager Overview
Human resources managers plan and coordinate HR activities including recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance with employment regulations.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
5-8 years
Industry
Human Resources
Total Jobs (US)
221K
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Human Resources
Hourly Rate
$71.77/hr
Monthly Pay
$12,440
Human Resources Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Human Resources Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Human Resources Manager Salary
$158,000
$13,167/month · $6,077/biweekly · $75.96/hr
Human Resources Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Human Resources Manager field.
Entry-level Human Resources Managers earn around $96,700, while the top 10% earn $221,100 or more.
Top Paying States for Human Resources Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $176,000 | +$26,720 |
| New York | $172,000 | +$22,720 |
| Illinois | $155,000 | +$5,720 |
| Texas | $146,000 | $-3,280 |
| Florida | $146,000 | $-3,280 |
Top Paying Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $185,100 | +$35,820 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $168,400 | +$19,120 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $156,770 | +$7,490 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $142,940 | $-6,340 |
| DallasBLS metro | $140,890 | $-8,390 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Human Resources Managers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Human Resources Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Human Resources Manager from entry level to expert.
$96,700
0-2 years
$143,000
3-7 years
$189,100
8-14 years
$253,100
15+ years
Related Human Resources Jobs
Human Resources Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a Human Resources Manager make in 2026?
The median salary for a Human Resources Manager in the United States is $149,280 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Human Resources Managers (SOC 11-3121); the mean is $164,230. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $96,700, senior professionals around $189,100, and top earners at $253,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Human Resources Manager?
A Human Resources Manager typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 5-8 years of experience. Key skills include Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, HRIS. Relevant certifications such as SHRM-CP or PHR can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Human Resources Managers?
The job market for Human Resources Managers is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 221K Human Resources Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 16%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Human Resources Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for Human Resources Managers include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $172,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Human Resources Manager salary?
To increase your Human Resources Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Talent Acquisition and Employee Relations. Pursue certifications such as SHRM-CP. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 5-8 years of experience, you can progress from $96,700 to $189,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Human Resources Manager Salary
How we calculate Human Resources Manager salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Human Resources Managers (SOC 11-3121), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $149,280, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Human Resources Managers; BLS mean $164,230; BLS hourly median $71.77.
- Entry-level ($96,700) and senior-level ($189,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +7% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 220,660 Human Resources Managers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Human Resources sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $149,280; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Human Resources Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Manager job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Human Resources
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Human Resources Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, HRIS), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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