Resources/Salaries/HR manager
HR Manager Salary 2027: Median $149,280 and Pay by Industry
Human resources managers in the US earned a median of $149,280 in May 2025, from under $88,200 for the lowest 10 percent to over $267,810 for the highest. Pay by industry, job outlook and what moves the number.
- $149,280median pay
- $88,200lowest 10%
- $267,810highest 10%
Quick answer: The median annual wage for human resources managers in the US was $149,280 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $88,200 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $267,810. HR managers in professional, scientific and technical services had the highest median of the top industries, at $170,590.
These figures cover people classed by the government as human resources managers: the people who plan, direct and coordinate the HR function of an organization. Titles like HR manager, HR director and head of people usually fall here. HR generalists and recruiters are counted separately, and their pay is on our HR generalist salary and recruiter salary pages.
How much does an HR manager make?
Half of HR managers earned more than $149,280 and half earned less. The range is wide because the title covers everything from the only HR person at a 60 person company to the head of HR at a large employer. Company size, industry, location and whether the role leads other HR staff move pay more than the title does.
| Measure | Annual pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn less than | $88,200 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $149,280 |
| Highest 10% earn more than | $267,810 |
BLS wage data come from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey of employers. They exclude the self employed and include bonuses tied to production targets but not overtime premiums.
Which industries pay HR managers the most?
Professional services and corporate headquarters pay the most among the industries that employ the most HR managers. Healthcare and administrative support services, which include staffing firms, sit around $126,000.
| Industry | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $170,590 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $166,200 |
| Manufacturing | $145,680 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $126,900 |
| Administrative and support services | $125,890 |
Is demand for HR managers growing?
BLS projects employment of HR managers to grow about 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 16,800 openings a year on average. Most openings come from people retiring or moving into other roles.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Jobs in the US | 224,900 (2025) |
| Projected growth | About 6 percent, 2025 to 2035 |
| Openings per year (average) | About 16,800 a year |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience | 5 years or more in a related occupation |
What raises an HR manager's pay?
Scope is the biggest lever. Managing other HR staff, owning compensation or HR systems for the whole company, and supporting a workforce across several states all push pay toward the top of the range. Industry is the next lever, as the table above shows.
- Leading a team of HR generalists or recruiters, not working solo
- Owning pay, benefits and HR systems decisions, not just administering them
- Experience with multi state compliance, acquisitions or layoffs
- Working in professional services, tech or a corporate headquarters
- Living in a high cost metro area
How does HR manager pay compare with other HR roles?
Moving from specialist to manager roughly doubles median pay, which is why the five years of related experience BLS lists as typical for the manager role matters so much.
| Role | Median annual pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Human resources managers | $149,280 |
| Human resources specialists (includes HR generalists and recruiters) | $75,940 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an HR manager make a year?
The median annual wage for human resources managers in the US was $149,280 in May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned under $88,200 and the highest 10 percent over $267,810.
What is the highest paying industry for HR managers?
Among the industries that employ the most HR managers, professional, scientific and technical services had the highest median at $170,590 in May 2025, followed by management of companies at $166,200.
Do HR managers need a degree?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, plus five years or more of related experience such as working as an HR specialist.
Is HR manager a growing job?
BLS projects about 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 16,800 openings a year.
How much more do HR managers earn than HR generalists?
About double at the median: $149,280 for HR managers versus $75,940 for human resources specialists, the group that includes HR generalists, in May 2025.
Sources
Written by recruiters at Work Insiders. Updated November 4, 2026. How we make money.