How Much Does HR Make? Salary Guide

From hiring and training to overseeing benefits and coordinating professional development, human resources staff are critical to keeping organizations running smoothly.

The human resources industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of more than 12% over the next decade, according to a report by Grand View Research. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average employment growth for human resource specialists.

Since there’s demand for skilled workers, getting a degree in this field could really pay off. So, if you’re wondering how much HR professionals make, read on for details on the salary ranges of different HR roles.

The human resources field is broad, and your pay will depend on your area of expertise and how long you’ve been in the industry.

If you work as a benefits coordinator, for example, you might start as an associate earning around $57,000. However, you can eventually work your way up to become a benefits manager with a salary in excess of six figures.

Having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resources plus work experience will help you land higher-paying managerial roles.

Working with specific software, such as Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), can lead to higher pay as well.

Source: Randstad USA, 2024

Human resources positions are growing as companies expand and address workforce shortages. This projected growth over the next decade comes with a high median pay.

For example, HR specialists and recruiters had a median pay of $67,650 as of May 2023, according to BLS. Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists had a median pay of $74,530.

Keep in mind that those figures represent the median for all experience levels. You might not make that amount at first, but it’s a good way to gauge your earnings potential.

Compensation and benefits analysts oversee employee pay and benefits programs such as health insurance. They also research benefits, insurance policies, and wages to ensure companies are compliant with all legal requirements and industry standards.

Human resources managers oversee their organization’s HR departments. Their responsibilities include overseeing employee benefits, recruiting and training new employees, and acting as a liaison between management and employees, amongst others.

While an HR manager has more of a broad focus and oversees a number of functions within an organization’s HR department, an HR specialist typically has a more specific role within a company. This could mean focusing on hiring and training new employees, or dealing with benefits and payroll. These roles can vary widely based on a company’s needs.

Recruitment, also called talent acquisition, focuses on attracting and hiring qualified workers. This can involve reaching out to potential employees on job-search sites such as LinkedIn, creating job postings, and attending recruitment events at colleges and universities. Recruiters might also facilitate the hiring process by setting up interviews and vetting applicants.

A training and development manager onboards identify areas where professional improvement is needed, and then organizes development trainings and initiatives. These HR professionals are particularly important as companies look to upskill employees in areas such as data analysis, cybersecurity, AI, and more.

California, D.C., and Washington are some of the highest-paying states for several human resource positions. However, these areas have a high cost of living, which tends to correlate to a higher average wage. Pay in California, for instance, will likely vary based on where you live in the state.

These areas are also home to some of the world’s largest companies and organizations, with many tech giants based in California’s Silicon Valley; Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Costco based in Washington State; and various government and nongovernmental organizations based in D.C.

According to BLS, you typically need a bachelor’s degree. However, that doesn’t mean you need an HR degree specifically.

Degree programs in education and business can also prepare you for an HR career.

Getting a professional certification from a reputable organization like the Society for Human Resource Management or an internship can also help bolster your HR skills.

When it comes to managerial positions, some may require a master’s degree, but a graduate-level degree isn’t usually required. Years of work experience is typically key if you want to pursue a leadership position in the HR field.