Salary guide
Human Resources Manager Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What human resources managers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median human resources manager salary in the U.S. is $149,280 per year, or $71.77 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $88,200, while the top 10% earned more than $267,810.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Human Resources Manager pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $88,200 | $42.40 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $111,110 | $53.42 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $149,280 | $71.77 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $199,290 | $95.81 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $267,810 | $128.75 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $111,110 | $149,280 | $199,290 |
| Per month | $9,259 | $12,440 | $16,608 |
| Every two weeks | $4,273 | $5,742 | $7,665 |
| Per week | $2,137 | $2,871 | $3,833 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects human resources manager pay
- Industry and company size
- Professional credentials (CPA, PMP, SHRM-CP, paralegal certificates)
- Software skills such as Excel, QuickBooks, CRM and HR systems
- Remote or hybrid roles tied to higher-cost labor markets
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a human resources manager
- Get credentialed: SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP, PHR or SPHR, Employment law training.
- Build specialty experience: Broad role.
- Move up: roles such as hr manager and vp or chro typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Human Resources Manager pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of human resources managers to change by +5.5% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 16,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 11-3121 (“Human resources managers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Human Resources Manager salary FAQ
How much does a human resources manager make per hour?
The median hourly wage for human resources managers was $71.77 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $42.40 and the top 10% earned about $128.75 or more.
How much does a human resources manager make a month?
At the median annual wage of $149,280, that works out to about $12,440 per month before taxes, or about $5,742 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a human resources manager?
New human resources managers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $88,200 and the 25th percentile was $111,110 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can human resources managers earn more?
Common ways include earning SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP and PHR or SPHR, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as hr manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-3121 (Human resources managers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Human resources managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.