How much does a human resources manager make?
The median human resources manager in the United States earns $149,280 per year, about $71.77 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all human resources managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-3121.
Human resources manager salary range
Pay for human resources managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $88,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $267,810. The average (mean) wage of $164,230 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $88,200 | $42.40 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $111,110 | $53.42 | |
| Median (50th) | $149,280 | $71.77 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $199,290 | $95.81 | |
| 90th percentile | $267,810 | $128.76 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for human resources managers (SOC 11-3121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Human resources manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Human resources managers earn the most in District of Columbia at $184,350 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $106,100. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 | 2,250 |
| Massachusetts | $181,780 | 7,540 |
| New York | $176,650 | 17,920 |
| New Jersey | $172,440 | 6,400 |
| California | $170,080 | 27,450 |
| Rhode Island | $167,110 | 530 |
| Colorado | $166,400 | 3,620 |
| Virginia | $165,980 | 5,770 |
| Connecticut | $165,930 | 3,020 |
| Washington | $165,530 | 4,560 |
| Delaware | $153,890 | 580 |
| Minnesota | $153,770 | 4,370 |
| Maryland | $152,770 | 3,820 |
| Illinois | $151,370 | 13,520 |
| Georgia | $150,700 | 7,270 |
| North Carolina | $142,990 | 6,480 |
| Oregon | $140,570 | 2,810 |
| Arizona | $139,820 | 3,950 |
| North Dakota | $139,050 | 290 |
| Michigan | $138,930 | 5,890 |
| Florida | $137,790 | 11,570 |
| Texas | $136,500 | 23,220 |
| New Hampshire | $135,000 | 1,150 |
| Kansas | $134,470 | 1,290 |
| Wisconsin | $133,490 | 3,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,060 | 8,230 |
| Vermont | $132,050 | 360 |
| Tennessee | $131,760 | 4,310 |
| Utah | $131,380 | 2,240 |
| Missouri | $130,680 | 3,510 |
| Ohio | $130,480 | 8,040 |
| Indiana | $130,340 | 3,030 |
| Maine | $129,720 | 700 |
| Alaska | $129,570 | 610 |
| Nebraska | $129,460 | 1,660 |
| Hawaii | $128,910 | 710 |
| Nevada | $128,550 | 1,520 |
| Wyoming | $127,520 | 140 |
| Iowa | $126,370 | 1,620 |
| South Carolina | $124,290 | 2,400 |
| Kentucky | $121,460 | 1,960 |
| West Virginia | $120,020 | 510 |
| Idaho | $119,990 | 1,040 |
| New Mexico | $118,070 | 820 |
| South Dakota | $117,930 | 420 |
| Oklahoma | $116,080 | 1,750 |
| Montana | $115,280 | 530 |
| Alabama | $113,210 | 2,160 |
| Arkansas | $108,580 | 1,290 |
| Louisiana | $107,880 | 1,390 |
| Mississippi | $106,100 | 720 |
State median wages for human resources managers (SOC 11-3121), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for human resources managers
The BLS projects employment of human resources managers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 224,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 237,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 16,800 openings a year for human resources managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a human resources manager
The typical entry-level education for human resources managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a human resources manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $184,350) and the lowest (Mississippi, $106,100) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 220,660 people work as human resources managers in the United States. At $149,280 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Human resources manager salary FAQ
How much does a human resources manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a human resources manager is $71.77. The middle half of human resources managers earn between $53.42 and $95.81 per hour.
What is the highest human resources manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of human resources managers earn more than $267,810 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a human resources manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a human resources manager is $149,280. The average (mean) wage of $164,230 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a human resources manager a well paid job?
At $149,280 a year, a human resources manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 220,660 people work as human resources managers in the United States.
Which state pays human resources managers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for human resources managers at $184,350 a year. Massachusetts ($181,780) and New York ($176,650) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a human resources manager a good career?
Employment of human resources managers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 16,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a human resources manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for human resources managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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