In general, HR managers earn between $60,000 and $100,000 annually. Entry-level positions may offer lower salaries and require more on-the-job training and experience. Earning potential can be increased by obtaining professional certifications, such as the SHRM Senior Certified Professional. Such credentials are earned by individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of a specific area or set of skills. The SHRM Senior Certified Professional is one such credential for HR managers. Human resources managers work in companies of all sizes, from large companies to small organizations and public enterprises.
Those with a bachelor’s degree are paid a median salary of $121,220 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary ranges are dependent on experience and location. The average salary of an HR manager in the United States varies by about $30,500, based on ZipRecruiter’s data. Some cities offer higher salaries than others, such as San Mateo, CA, where annual compensation is higher than the national average.
Salaries for HR managers are higher in companies with more than 300 employees. The sweet spot for competitive salaries in this range is between 100 and 300 employees. Small companies with fewer employees tend to have smaller HR departments, so the salaries may be lower. Also, the size of the HR department can affect the average salary of the HR team. As a general rule, job title and department headcount are important indicators of career advancement and company status.