Highest-Paying Human Resources Manager Jobs [2026]

Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a combination of public government and company data, alongside insights from thousands of job postings, to generate accurate average salary estimates for jobs across the United States. Based on this data, we’ve pinpointed the highest-paying roles in the field of human resources management.

Here’s a summary of our findings for the highest-paying human resources managerial positions:

• Human Resources Vice President ranks as the highest-paid human resources manager with an average salary of $169,647 and an average hourly rate of $81.56.

• The second highest-paying position is Senior Human Resources Manager, earning an average salary of $102,806.

• The average salary for human resources managers stands at $80,442 per year, equating to an average hourly wage of $38.67.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Selecting a career path can be challenging, and while salary is an important consideration, it should not be the sole focus. If you’re aspiring to become a human resources manager, understanding the highest-paying roles in the field can assist in planning your career trajectory.

Here are the top salaries for various types of human resources managers:

1. Human Resources Vice President

   Average Salary: $169,647

   Human resources (HR) vice presidents are crucial for the strategic management of an organization’s HR department. They are tasked with directing staffing objectives and formulating strategies that support the company’s profitable and productive operations. Responsibilities include overseeing payroll and employee benefits, enforcing standardized HR processes, and driving performance evaluation initiatives. Successful candidates typically possess prior experience as an HR director, strong leadership skills, and a comprehensive understanding of HR practices.

2. Senior Human Resources Manager

   Average Salary: $102,806

   As a senior human resources manager, your role encompasses the comprehensive management of HR functions, including talent acquisition, performance management, and training development. You will oversee compensation and benefits structures, employee services, and industrial relations, ensuring alignment with the company’s operational needs. Additionally, you will guide employee relations programs and review company policies to ensure compliance and effective training implementation.

3. Human Resources Lead

   Average Salary: $102,531

   Human Resource Leaders are responsible for achieving departmental goals. Their duties include strategy implementation, recruitment, training, and retaining top talent.

4. Director Of Human Resources

   Average Salary: $100,601

   A human resources director oversees the entire HR department’s operations, ensuring alignment with the organization’s profitability and service objectives. Responsibilities include staff consultation, addressing staffing concerns, managing compensation and benefits plans, and strategizing training and development initiatives. Effective leadership, communication, and decision-making skills are critical for success in this role.

5. Human Resource Officer

   Average Salary: $89,540

   A human resources officer typically manages employment operations, including payroll and training systems. Responsibilities include job advertisement participation, applicant interviews, onboarding and training new hires, and developing programs that communicate company policies and regulations. Additionally, officers maintain employee data, process payroll, and address any personnel issues.

Below is a comprehensive table presenting the average salaries for various human resources managerial roles, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Human Resources Managers

Methodology

Zippia leverages publicly available information from government resources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate its salary estimates.

Our data science team also scrutinizes job postings and company-published resources to ensure the most current salary information for human resources managers.

Once the data is collected, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title to derive the salary estimates. For more details on our methodology, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Human Resources Manager Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid human resources manager job?

   The highest-paid human resources manager job is a Human Resources Vice President. They earn an average salary of $169,647, translating to an hourly wage of $81.56.

   Human resources (HR) vice presidents play a critical role in the effective functioning of an organization’s HR department. Their responsibilities include directing staffing strategies and developing initiatives that promote profitability and productivity. They also oversee payroll, employee benefits, enforce HR processes, and suggest improvements for performance evaluations. Required skills include prior HR director experience, strong leadership skills, and extensive knowledge of HR systems.

2. What is a good salary for a human resources manager?

   A good salary for a human resources manager is $80,442 or more. This figure represents the average salary for HR managers, indicating that those earning this amount or higher are above the average pay level.

   However, it’s important to note that salaries can vary based on geographic location, as companies adjust their compensation packages according to local cost of living. Conducting research on average salaries in your area for your level of experience can give a clearer perspective on your earnings.

   For those new to the field, be aware that the average entry-level salary is lower than $80,442, as this figure includes all levels of HR management experience.

3. Do Human Resources Manager jobs pay well?

   Yes, human resources manager positions typically offer competitive salaries. Although some HR manager jobs pay better than others, the average salary of $80,442 is significantly higher than the national average of around $44,225 per year.

   Additionally, many HR manager roles offer substantial earning potential, with the top 10% earning significantly more. It’s crucial to consider factors like experience, industry, and location when evaluating salary prospects.

4. Where do human resources managers earn the highest salaries?

   Human resources managers earn the highest salaries in Washington State. In Washington, the average annual salary for HR managers is $95,730, with an average hourly wage of $46.02.

   Following Washington, other states with high-paying HR manager roles include New York, Nevada, and California, with average salaries of $90,216, $82,410, and $89,937, respectively.

   The cities with the highest salaries for HR managers are as follows:

   1. Sacramento, CA – $99,996

   2. Redmond, WA – $96,270

   3. New York, NY – $90,405

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.