How much does an HR manager make?
a year · about $72 an hour
A typical HR manager in the United States makes $149,280 a year, about $72 an hour, about 2.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They review job openings and hiring plans, answer employees’ questions, and help settle workplace disputes. They also guide the HR team and check benefits, training, payroll, and workplace rules.
Did you know? In the U.S., HR managers may help run day-care programs and employee-award projects—not just hiring.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $88,200 and $267,810How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree in HR or a related field, then build several years of experience; some start as HR or labor-relations specialists. Certification is voluntary, though some employers prefer or require it.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience and responsibility, HR specialty, employer industry and size, and location. Certification may help qualify someone for a role; most HR managers work regular business hours, and some work longer.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($184,350), lowest in Mississippi ($106,100).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $88,200 | $149,280 | $267,810 | about 221,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $181,780 | about 8,000 |
| New York | $176,650 | about 18,000 |
| New Jersey | $172,440 | about 6,000 |
| California | $170,080 | about 27,000 |
Official definition: Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization. Excludes managers who primarily focus on compensation and benefits (11-3111) and training and development (11-3131).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/11-3121.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes113121.htm
- www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/hr-compensation-pays-to-spe
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY