Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for senior human resources managers in the United States
Senior human resources manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior human resources manager job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 12,600 new jobs for senior human resources managers are projected over the next decade.
Senior human resources manager salaries have increased 13% for senior human resources managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 124,480 senior human resources managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 46,602 active senior human resources manager job openings in the US.
The average senior human resources manager salary is $102,806.
Are senior human resources manager jobs in demand?
Senior human resources manager job and salary trends over time
Senior human resources manager jobs over time
Senior human resources manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 124,480 | 0.04% |
| 2020 | 116,690 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 115,294 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 106,987 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 101,497 | 0.03% |
Average senior human resources manager salary over time
Senior human resources manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $102,806 | $49.43 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $98,990 | $47.59 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $96,089 | $46.20 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $93,392 | $44.90 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $90,670 | $43.59 | +2.4% |
Senior human resources manager jobs by state
Most common states for senior human resources managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 179 | 26% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 96 | 10% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 116 | 9% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 56 | 9% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 568 | 8% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 57 | 8% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 552 | 7% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 520 | 7% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 386 | 7% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 375 | 7% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 271 | 7% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 53 | 7% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,245 | 6% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 759 | 6% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 441 | 6% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 340 | 6% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 203 | 6% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 174 | 6% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 64 | 6% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 37 | 6% |
Most common cities for senior human resources managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herndon | 3 | 12% | $107,045 |
| 2 | Morristown | 2 | 7% | $97,051 |
| 3 | Elkhart | 2 | 4% | $102,872 |
| 4 | Bessemer | 1 | 4% | $90,228 |
| 5 | Kalamazoo | 2 | 3% | $99,885 |
| 6 | Waltham | 2 | 3% | $117,608 |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | 4 | 2% | $99,906 |
| 8 | Fort Lauderdale | 3 | 2% | $82,349 |
| 9 | Stamford | 2 | 2% | $128,381 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $88,311 |
| 11 | Huntsville | 2 | 1% | $91,279 |
| 12 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $88,490 |
| 13 | Chicago | 6 | 0% | $103,868 |
| 14 | Detroit | 2 | 0% | $101,277 |
| 15 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $127,710 |
Senior Human Resources Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior human resources manager experts
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Portland State University
The University of Tennessee - Martin
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Angelo State University
Hope College
Utah State University
Temple University
University of Richmond
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Grand Valley State University
Saint Leo University
Zones, LLC
Superior Restaurant Group
John Carroll University
Wes Love
Organizational Improvement & Transformation SpecialistCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Wes Love: Look for companies that want to see you grow. Sure, you have to earn it, but too often companies are focused on their bottom line, not the salary or growth potential of their people. It always amazes me that the traditional first interaction after the interview process is the extension of an offer where the company is trying to get the most skill for the least amount of money. Using the relationship metaphor again, could you imagine trying to date someone with the same line of thinking: “What is the bare minimum I can give you so that you will say ‘yes’ to me?” And then it’s the haggling process. And what are we haggling? The value of that person and the work they will be doing! Then once the offer is accepted, we want people to perform above and beyond, go the extra mile, and yet the whole relationship started with trying to get the most for the least amount. It is ridiculous when you say it that way, isn’t it? Look for an organization that is enthusiastic about not only what you can do for them but also who you can become because of them.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wes Love: Communication, change management, and the full suite of human skills are and will continue to be paramount. But above all, self-awareness. I have a personal value of “don’t take yourself so seriously.” This value helps me constantly realize that in any and all circumstances, I have an opportunity to learn and grow. Under no circumstances should I approach any situation without curiosity. Every single person in my life has something to teach me, and feedback is a gift, not a value judgment. Author and speaker Simon Sinek has an amazing talk called “If you don’t know people, you don’t know business,” and he is correct. Skills can be learned, knowledge can be gained, and experience can be earned. But if we don’t take time to understand ourselves first and then seek to understand others, we are missing the point of not just business but life. Invest time in getting to know yourself, what drives you, what your purpose is, and seek out your blind spots. The rest will follow.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Talya Bauer Ph.D.: HRM professionals play a strategic role in aligning HR practices with organizational goals, ensuring a positive and productive work environment, and fostering a culture of employee engagement.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Talya Bauer Ph.D.: Entering the Human Resource Management (HRM) field can be an excellent career choice for several compelling reasons, especially in today's dynamic and evolving workplace. Glassdoor.com ranks HR management as one of the nation’s top five career opportunities based on average starting salary, job satisfaction, and employer demand.
What will help Senior Human Resources Managers increase their earning potential?
Talya Bauer Ph.D.: Individuals like many things about being an HRM professional, such as having diverse responsibilities, good pay, opportunities to build relationships, and feeling like they are making a positive impact. Some challenges include handling difficult employment situations and conversations, administrative burdens, navigating organizational politics and multiple stakeholders, and dealing with employee grievances and terminations.
Dr. Sean Walker
Professor of Behavioral ManagementThe University of Tennessee - Martin
Business Administration, Management And Operations
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Sean Walker: Problem solving and conflict resolution will be crucial skills in the next 3-5 years. HR professionals need to help organizations operate effectively and efficiently while dealing with increased conflict in the workplace.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Jill Bradley-Geist PhD: Stay connected with your university network of faculty and fellow students through online tools like LinkedIn as well as in-person events like alumni networking socials, career fairs, and local Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) meetings. Not only does networking help with job search, your network can provide mentoring opportunities and answers and support to questions you encounter in your work. If you are still a student, you can get a great discounted rate on a SHRM membership which allows you access to articles, data, templates, and newsletter updates with important HR information in specific areas related to your particular function/area within HR, such as compensation and benefits, workplace safety, or employee relations. Your employer might also pay for your SHRM membership.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jill Bradley-Geist PhD: HR data analytics is increasingly important and of interest to employers; at a broad-level, HR analytics uses data to inform organizational decision-making, so research skills and logical thinking/ability are important. Understanding of, and ability to utilize, AI effectively is another key area for the foreseeable future. Artificial intelligence in HR already has applications and is continuing to influence and change the practice of HR, from talent acquisition to compensation and rewards decisions, to analysis of employee surveys of workplace culture and individual satisfaction, engagement, and well-being. Communication skills, interpersonal and cultural skills, and the ability to adapt also will remain important, if not increasingly so.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erin Liggett: The responses were provided by Erin Liggett, Assistant Director of Career Services & Student Employment at The University of Akron.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aaron Richmond Ph.D.: I think there are several ways students can do this when entering the market place. First, get experience during their undergraduate education. Whether this is through an internship, working as an undergraduate research assistant or teaching assistant, working as a work study at the college/university, volunteering, or a part-time job. Experience is the cornerstone of leverage. Second, understand and leverage the SPS skills and knowledge that students have gained in their education. For example, create a portfolio that demonstrates how they have manage teams, or lead groups, or collaborated with others, or have managed information, etc. Third, try to job shadow. Some colleges and universities have great programs set up to allow students to witness different jobs/professions and learn the needed skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in these fields. Once students have done this, they can begin to really hone the necessary experiences and skills to maximize their salary.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Shannon Ahrndt: I would say don't be afraid to ask questions to learn more on the job. Lots of employees are afraid to look stupid but asking questions shows curiosity and eagerness to learn more about the field. Don't be worried if you don't get your dream job or salary straight out of college...you need to start somewhere and you never know what opportunities might unfold by taking a position - you have lots of years to work and it's common to change what you want to do as you grow in your career. Make sure to network with coworkers and try to find a mentor. Learning from someone you look up to who is a few stages ahead of you in your career can be invaluable.
Vidya Kalaramadam Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender StudiesWhat will help Senior Human Resources Managers increase their earning potential?
Vidya Kalaramadam Ph.D.: Be able to articulate what a graduate in Race, Gender and Minority Studies or Community Development and Social Justice Studies brings to the organization-a set of perspectives that take difference, diverse identities and experiences as positive contributors to the workplace, a set of skills such as structural analysis, power analysis, intersectional analysis, leadership theories, and research and analysis, and a set of dispositions that foreground issues of justice, fairness and equity.
Be able to articulate a career path that blends in the organizational needs with your own aspirational goals and guiding principles for being an engaged and ethical citizen
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Vidya Kalaramadam Ph.D.: Critical thinking and problem solving skills for analyzing structural inequalities and practices within organizations, formulation of DEI policies
Conflict resolution skills and experience and ability to work in diverse groups
Research skills and data analysis including community-based research, mixed methods (combining qualitative and quantitative), feminist methods, power analysis, research ethics, digital technology fluency
Global competency and cross-cultural communication skills
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Vidya Kalaramadam Ph.D.: Double major or at least pick up a couple minors and alternate credentials such as certificates. For instance, combine your degree in Race, Gender and Minority Studies with a degree in Business or Public Health or Criminal Justice or Psychology
Learn a second language to some degree of fluency
Get work experience / internship experience that connects to your broader career goals and skillset
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Alex Johnson: We're researching an article for graduates entering the job market with a degree in Human Resources Management, and hope to quote a professor at Saint Peter's University.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alex Johnson: We are looking for insights into what Human Resources Management majors can expect at their jobs. I have two weeks before the article is due :)
What will help Senior Human Resources Managers increase their earning potential?
Alex Johnson: I hope you are well. Would you be able to assist with the request?
John Wegner
Professor, English and Modern LanguagesAngelo State University
English Language And Literature
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
John Wegner: New workers must be willing to advocate for their own workloads and accomplishments. Too often managers privilege charisma over competence. When we start our career, we should keep updating our resumes and continue logging accomplishments. Be willing to volunteer for tasks others might avoid. Learn all the aspects of your job possible so you can work effectively on multiple teams within the organization. That knowledge and achievements can become part of a personnel file or portfolio for promotion or a new job search. The fastest way to increase your salary is to prove you are in demand by getting other job offers.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Wegner: As artificial intelligence begins dominating and replacing technological skills, people who can display empathy, critical thinking skills, creativity, and innovatively adapt data to appear to diverse audiences will be increasingly in demand. In many ways, the advent of the AI world, I suspect, will put Humanities majors in more demand than ever. While I don't think AI will replace coders or data analysts, we should note that machine learning is quickly leveling the playing field with regards to those specific skill sets. AI, though, can not use the data creatively or in ways that connect to another human being.
What will help Senior Human Resources Managers increase their earning potential?
John Wegner: Cliched though it may sound, I tell our soon-to-be graduates that 'Hustle beats talent unless talent hustles.' As new employees in any job, we encourage our graduates to find a mentor, ask questions, and be willing to work hard enough to display your skillset. Employers are often a bit skeptical about humanities majors, but an English major should have the ability to understand her audience and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people. Most importantly, English majors need to explain how their skills reading complex novels and poetry translate to analytics, sales, management, and other professions.
Dr. Sarah Kornfield
Associate Professor of Communication and Affiliated Faculty for Women's & Gender Studies at Hope CollegeHope College
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Dr. Sarah Kornfield: The ability to evaluate data in a way that recognizes structural problems and to develop innovative policy solutions. For instance, imagine a corporation has difficulty retaining and promoting employees--especially women--with young children. To solve this problem, the corporation needs someone who can recognize the trend within the data and can see that there are structural problems preventing parents with young children from maintaining and/or advancing their careers at that corporation. The final step would be implementing a policy solution, such as enabling more flexible work time, creating an on-site daycare, or offering better benefits/subsidies for parents if daycare expenses in the area are expensive.
What will help Senior Human Resources Managers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sarah Kornfield: It can be awkward to ask about salaries, but unless you know what the general salary range is for your position in your area, you won't know if you're being paid a reasonable salary. I recommend taking informational interviews with liketype companies/non-profits and asking what they consider a normal salary range for someone starting in your field. Then negotiate for yourself. You should especially negotiate when asked to take on additional roles or leadership positions: more work/responsibility should come with raises. If you're in a field or corporation where there is an annual application for raises, you should always apply. If you work in a field where you're given concrete goals--such as recruiting a certain number of underprivileged applicants to a college or university--you should negotiate bonuses for meeting those goals.
Bruce Boucher
Lecturer and Director, Professional Master of Human Resource ProgramUtah State University
Management, Master of Human Resources Departments
What skills stand out on Senior Human Resources Manager resumes?
Bruce Boucher: Actually working in HR, having additional credentials like an MHR, SPHR, and having specific experiences in specific areas of HR.
What soft skills should all Senior Human Resources Managers possess?
Bruce Boucher: Being an Entrepreneur of Talent, being comfortable working in teams, enlisting trust through actions, being empathetic.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Human Resources Managers?
Bruce Boucher: HAVE to know the HR basics. Experience with HRIS, Benefits renewals, pay, etc. REALLY know coaching and a variety of tools available to aid the business and the human capital.
What skills will help Senior Human Resources Managers earn the most?
Bruce Boucher: Being a legitimate business partner and being concerned for the overall welfare of the business. Wearing well and helping over time. Too many young consultants who know 1 or 2 things well and not much more.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Human Resources Managers?
Daniel Goldberg: Having an in-depth knowledge of how the most important areas of production operate.
What skills stand out on Senior Human Resources Manager resumes?
Daniel Goldberg: a) Understanding the legal aspects of Human Resources as well as the nuances of the organization you work for or to which you are applying.
b) Knowing how to lead and work productively within the culture, vision, and mission of organizations.
What soft skills should all Senior Human Resources Managers possess?
Daniel Goldberg: The ability to communicate effectively, openly, empathically, and directly (without ambiguity) while making sure members within the organization understand their roles.
What skills will help Senior Human Resources Managers earn the most?
Daniel Goldberg: If you can show that you have mastered the above skills, you should be in a good position to get a well-paying position.
What skills will help Senior Human Resources Managers earn the most?
John Barr: Companies are focused on their bottom line. If you can help the company improve its performance by hiring and retaining quality candidates while demonstrating an ability to save it money by dealing with workplace conflicts and legal requirements before these explode into litigation, you should be well placed to earn a high level of compensation.
What skills stand out on Senior Human Resources Manager resumes?
John Barr: Skills such as an ability to conduct workplace investigations, develop a diverse workforce, and an ability to help a company meet its various goals while complying with its legal obligations are vital aspects of any resume.
What soft skills should all Senior Human Resources Managers possess?
John Barr: The ability to get along with people. HR managers frequently must resolve workplace conflicts, investigate incidents of harassment or discrimination, or deal with employees who are in danger of losing their job. A critical soft skill is managing these issues when emotions may be running high while focusing on protecting the company's interests and advancing its various goals.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Human Resources Managers?
John Barr: The most important hard/technical skills are experience and training in such areas as workplace investigations, overseeing various employee programs and documentation related to leaving, handbooks, job descriptions, wages, benefits, hiring, and terminations, developing a diverse workforce, and training in the future of the workforce.
Anthony Nyberg
Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human ResourcesUniversity of South Carolina - Columbia
Management Department
What skills stand out on Senior Human Resources Manager resumes?
Anthony Nyberg: The most important skill for HR managers as they enter the workforce is professionalism (and everything that goes into this, including being on time, doing what one says they will do, etc.)
This shows up on resumes by having held responsible positions for an appropriate period, leading to positive recommendations from prior employers, teachers, leaders, etc. The item that stands out most on a resume is a strong HR internship.
What soft skills should all Senior Human Resources Managers possess?
Anthony Nyberg: In general, the "soft" skills are actually the hardest, and the most important of these skills involves strong communication and an ability to work in teams - most jobs and all companies require people to work together, and this is a very challenging skill, but imperative in the modern workforce.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Human Resources Managers?
Anthony Nyberg: HR, like many work environments, is driven by using data to address challenges. This requires a strong analytical foundation.
What skills will help Senior Human Resources Managers earn the most?
Anthony Nyberg: The skills that lead, in the short term, to the highest earnings involve analytical skills. The skills that lead to the highest earnings over time include professionalism and strong interpersonal skills. If you can master both, you have created the foundation for a very strong career in HR.
Dan Wiljanen Ph.D.
Affiliate of Practice Professor, SHRM Student Chapter AdviserGrand Valley State University
Seidman College of Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Senior Human Resources Managers?
Dan Wiljanen Ph.D.: Knowledge of the HR Discipline
-Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
-Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
-Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, government regulations, and executive orders.
-Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for training design, implementation, and evaluation.
Technology Skills
-Enterprise resource planning ERP software
-Human resources software - Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
-Office suite software
-Project management software
-Web page creation and editing software
-Word processing software
What soft skills should all Senior Human Resources Managers possess?
Dan Wiljanen Ph.D.: Soft Skills
-Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
-Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
-Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
-Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
-Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
-Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
-Coordination - Adjusting actions concerning others' actions.
-Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
-Competencies - Blend of skills, abilities, and knowledge
-Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
-Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
-Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
-Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
-Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and considerable variety in the workplace.
-Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
-Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and understanding and helpful on the job.
-Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone and being personally connected with others on the job.
-Analytical Thinking - The job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
-Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Management & Human ResourcesSaint Leo University
Management & Operations Department
What skills stand out on Senior Human Resources Manager resumes?
J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.: First and foremost, communication skills - this is what you will see somewhere on every HR coordinator job posting. But there's a difference between simply saying you have "excellent communication skills" and providing evidence!
In your resume, be sure to highlight how you used your communication skills to get things done in your previous job titles. Write something like: "Effectively communicated complex plans and new initiatives verbally and in writing to diverse teams across the organization." This tells me that this candidate knows how to talk to and write to people in very different roles in ways that they will understand.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Human Resources Managers?
Adrianne Keeler: Salaries in our field have gotten more and more competitive, and have continued to rise. Not only with the base wage, but really with the commission side of earnings. To remain a competitive employer in our industry, companies have made the commissions uncapped and thrown other incentives into the wages as well.
How have salaries changed over time for Senior Human Resources Managers?
Brandi Sechrist: Salaries have risen over the years but not drastically.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Human Resources Manager?
Deniz Durmus Ph.D.: A graduate of Ethnic, Gender And Minority Studies should be aware of their potential to play a pivotal role in an institution with respect to social justice and equality. Furthermore, the skills and sensibilities they develop by studying in this field will also make them invaluable members of their team, as they can utilize those skills and sensibilities to increase group cohesion, contributing to productivity by creating safe spaces for diverse voices to be heard.
What Senior Human Resources Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Deniz Durmus Ph.D.: As the world and working spaces get more and more global and diverse, individuals with diversity literacy will become in demand. I see two main skills becoming more prevalent in the following years: effective and authentic communication with people from diverse backgrounds, and critical thinking skills, especially in issues of environmental justice.
What will help Senior Human Resources Managers increase their earning potential?
Deniz Durmus Ph.D.: First, acknowledge and appreciate the high-in-demand skills you are bringing to the team. Second, negotiate by effectively communicating the value you are adding to the company. Third, always continue to learn, follow the most cutting-edge developments in your field to remain relevant and better negotiate your salary.