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Human resources manager: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$149,280median pay per year, or $71.77 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $88,200lowest 10% earn less
  2. $111,11025th percentile
  3. $149,280median
  4. $199,29075th percentile
  5. $267,810top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for a human resources manager was $149,280 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS lists a bachelor's degree and 5 years or more of related work experience as the typical way into the job[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.5%[5]
Openings per year
16,800[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[2]

How much do human resources managers make?

In May 2025 the median pay for Human Resources Managers was $149,280 a year, or $71.77 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $164,230 a year, or $78.96 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $88,200 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $111,110[3]. The top-paid 25% earned more than $199,290, and the top-paid 10% earned more than $267,810[3]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $42.40 and the 90th percentile was $128.76[8]. BLS publishes percentile wages as boundaries, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 220,660 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median pay among the places with published data, at $184,350[12]. Massachusetts followed at $181,780, then New York at $176,650[12]. Mississippi had the lowest median in that list, at $106,100[12].

California had the most jobs at 27,450, then Texas at 23,220 and New York at 17,920[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $220,460[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA came next at $209,340[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, with 18,480 and a median of $185,100[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$184,3502,250
Massachusetts$181,7807,540
New York$176,65017,920
New Jersey$172,4406,400
California$170,08027,450
Rhode Island$167,110530
Colorado$166,4003,620
Virginia$165,9805,770
Connecticut$165,9303,020
Washington$165,5304,560
Delaware$153,890580
Minnesota$153,7704,370
Maryland$152,7703,820
Illinois$151,37013,520
Georgia$150,7007,270
North Carolina$142,9906,480
Oregon$140,5702,810
Arizona$139,8203,950
North Dakota$139,050290
Michigan$138,9305,890
Florida$137,79011,570
Texas$136,50023,220
New Hampshire$135,0001,150
Kansas$134,4701,290
Wisconsin$133,4903,730
Pennsylvania$133,0608,230
Vermont$132,050360
Tennessee$131,7604,310
Utah$131,3802,240
Missouri$130,6803,510
Ohio$130,4808,040
Indiana$130,3403,030
Maine$129,720700
Alaska$129,570610
Nebraska$129,4601,660
Hawaii$128,910710
Nevada$128,5501,520
Wyoming$127,520140
Iowa$126,3701,620
South Carolina$124,2902,400
Kentucky$121,4601,960
West Virginia$120,020510
Idaho$119,9901,040
New Mexico$118,070820
South Dakota$117,930420
Oklahoma$116,0801,750
Montana$115,280530
Alabama$113,2102,160
Arkansas$108,5801,290
Louisiana$107,8801,390
Mississippi$106,100720

How to become a human resources manager

Some jobs may ask for a master's degree in human resources, labor relations or business administration[19]. Certification is voluntary, but employers may prefer it and some positions may require it[20]. In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 82% said a bachelor's degree is required and 9% said a post-baccalaureate certificate[21]. That is a small survey.

What human resources managers do

O*NET describes the job as planning, directing or coordinating an organization's human resources activities and staff[22]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

Human resources managers work in offices. Some travel to visit other branches, attend professional meetings or recruit[24]. Professional, scientific and technical services was the largest employer group in 2025, at 15%[25]. Full-time work during regular business hours is typical, and some managers work more than 40 hours a week[26].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of human resources managers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 224,900 to 237,400 jobs, a gain of 12,500[5]. These counts include self-employed workers, who were 0.2% of the occupation in 2025[5][27]. For comparison, employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[28]. The OEWS count of 220,660 jobs is a separate measure covering wage and salary jobs only[11].

About 16,800 openings are projected each year on average[6]. These include jobs that open when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.5% move to a different occupation[29].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a median of $149,280, well above the $50,980 for all occupations[1][4]. The entry path combines a bachelor's degree with 5 years or more of related experience, so it is not a quick route in[2]. The work centers on directing HR staff and advising managers[23]. Projected growth of 5.5% is above the 3.5% for all occupations[5][28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[30].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a human resources manager make an hour?
The median was $71.77 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $78.96[1][7].
How much does a human resources manager make a year?
The median was $149,280 a year, compared with $50,980 for all occupations[1][4].
What degree do you need to be a human resources manager?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, plus 5 years or more of related work experience[2]. Some jobs may require a master's degree[19].
Is human resources manager a growing job?
BLS projects 5.5% growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[5][28]. About 16,800 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for human resources managers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median, at $184,350 a year[12]. Among the 50 states, Massachusetts was highest at $181,780[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Human Resources Managers in the US was $149,280 per year and $71.77 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Human Resources Managers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Human Resources Managers: 10th percentile $88,200, 25th percentile $111,110, 75th percentile $199,290, 90th percentile $267,810. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Human Resources Managers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 224,900 to 237,400 jobs (a change of +12,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 16,800 openings for Human Resources Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Human Resources Managers was $164,230 per year and $78.96 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Human Resources Managers: 10th percentile $42.40, 25th percentile $53.42, 75th percentile $95.81, 90th percentile $128.76. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 220,660 people were employed as Human Resources Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Human Resources Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Human Resources Managers jobs: California 27,450; Texas 23,220; New York 17,920; Illinois 13,520; Florida 11,570. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Human Resources Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $220,460; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $209,340; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $191,190; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $185,100; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $184,990; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $177,960; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $171,360; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $170,940. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Human Resources Managers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 18,480 (median $185,100); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 10,810 (median $156,770); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 9,070 (median $168,400); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 7,970 (median $140,890); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 6,480 (median $184,990); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 6,280 (median $177,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 11-3121.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 82%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Human Resources Managers. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Human Resources Managers. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of human resources managers in 2025: Professional, scientific, and technical services 15%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Human Resources Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  28. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Human Resources Managers: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  30. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.