Human Resources Manager Salary

By Henry Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 12 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Human Resources Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Human Resources Managers.

Job Duties

Human resources managers are responsible for compliance with policies and procedures and how they relate to employees within their organization. They also ensure all activities developed by the HR department comply with federal, state, and local laws. Furthermore, they implement new employee benefit programs, as well as other initiatives. These include things such as flexible working programs, insurance programs, open enrollment programs, maternity leave, sick leave, and paid vacations benefit.

Human resources managers also recommend policy changes that are necessary in order to make sure the company remains competitive in terms of its benefits and compensation packages. They then help to drive those changes and ensure they are approved by senior management. Furthermore, they focus on developing a workplace that is free of bullying and harassment, and where all complaints are properly dealt with in accordance with the law and with company policy. Furthermore, they provide supervision to other HR staff, offering guidance, discipline, and training as and where needed.

Other job duties of a human resources manager include:

  • Ensuring that all procedures, policies, and programs are administered in a consistent manner, and that these align with the vision and goals of the organization.
  • Ensuring that all policies and procedures comply with local, state, and federal law as well as with professional standards.
  • Holding overarching responsibility for all human resources initiatives, including employee relations, training, benefits, compensation, and recruitment and retention.
  • Working alongside other managers so that they fully understand the different HR policies and procedures, particularly in relation to employee retention.
  • Managing the daily operations of the department, including budget development and business planning

Where We Work

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 136,100 human resources managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

  • Management of companies and enterprises: 14%
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services: 13%
  • Manufacturing: 13%
  • Government: 10%
  • Healthcare and social assistance: 9%

How to Become

A bachelor’s degree is required as a minimum, but most human resources managers hold a master’s degree. Typically, they have a major in business administration or in human resources. It is also beneficial to complete additional certifications.

Education Requirements

A human resources manager will generally need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to human resources. This includes information technology, education, business management, and finance. It is helpful to also complete courses in fields such as industrial psychology or conflict management. It is becoming more common for these professionals to hold a master’s degree, particularly the master of business administration (MBA), or a master’s in labor relations or human resources.

Work experience is also of great importance. A human resources manager must be able to lead, direct, and organize others. Often, they start as labor relations or human resources specialists and work their way up. They must also have demonstrable knowledge in local, state, and federal employment laws, human resources software, and compensation and benefits plans.

There is no legal requirement for a human resources manager to be certified or licensed, but it is beneficial. There are numerous professional associations, including the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, WorldatWork, the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), that offer certifications.

Traits & Qualities

The most effective human resources managers have the following traits to some degree or other:

  • Excellent decision making skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Proven leadership skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Communication skills, both verbal and written
  • Up to date computer skills

Minimum Education

Bachelor’s Degree

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Human Resources Manager was $69,342. This number is estimated from over 5,858,024 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $36.12 and monthly of $5,779.

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$19,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Human Resources Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Delaware had the largest quoted salary of $92,852 while Alaska had the smallest quoted salary of $28,723.

Alaska Kentucky New York
Alabama Louisiana Ohio
Arkansas Massachusetts Oklahoma
Arizona Maryland Oregon
California Maine Pennsylvania
Colorado Michigan Rhode Island
Connecticut Minnesota South Carolina
DC Missouri South Dakota
Delaware Mississippi Tennessee
Florida Montana Texas
Georgia North Carolina Utah
Hawaii North Dakota Virginia
Iowa Nebraska Vermont
Idaho New Hampshire Washington
Illinois New Jersey Wisconsin
Indiana New Mexico West Virginia
Kansas Nevada Wyoming
Alaska – $28,723 Rank: 51st
The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Workplace Alaska, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, and Juneau School District.

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$7.25

$29.80

Salary Distribution
Alabama – $69,872 Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arthur Wright and Associates, The Hirearchy, Birmingham City Schools, and 3coast.

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$23,000

$140,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas – $66,166 Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Consumer Products Manufacturer, The Job Jobber, Affinity Executive Search, and Bertram & Associates.

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$15,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona – $59,975 Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Aerotek, Banner Health, Austin Allen Company, and Department of Homeland Security.

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$17,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
California – $74,023 Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Chevron, City of San Jose, Oakland Unified School District, and HR Personnel Services.

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$21,000

$157,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado – $60,288 Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Humane Society – Pikes Peak Region, Planet Green Search, Colorado Network Staffing, Inc., and Premier Roofing Company.

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$15,000

$135,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut – $75,220 Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Connecticut, Fogarty Knapp & Associates, Inc, Accounting Principals, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

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$20,000

$163,000

Salary Distribution
DC – $77,954 Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency, JDB Services / Recruitifi Affiliates, and Department of Homeland Security.

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$19,000

$177,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware – $92,852 Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Laurus Professional Division, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, The Music Teachers Network, and Tech Mahindra.

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$23,000

$208,000

Salary Distribution
Florida – $60,438 Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Brokers, Inc., Advance Auto Parts, Robert Half Technology, and Department of Homeland Security.

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$15,000

$135,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia – $66,138 Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arthur Wright and Associates, Department of Homeland Security, IBM, and Career Brokers, Inc..

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$20,000

$138,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii – $59,282 Rank: 49th
The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Homeland Security, Express Employment Professionals, U.S. Army, and ALTRES Office.

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$19,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa – $69,244 Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group, Palmer Group, Onboard.jobs, and Ability Professional Network.

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$26,000

$132,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho – $72,448 Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like FPC Atlanta, Client Staffing Solutions, University of Idaho, and OfficeTeam.

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$22,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois – $74,134 Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group, Bertram & Associates, Bio-Partners, and CMD And Associates.

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$22,000

$156,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana – $75,486 Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Job Jobber, Cameron Craig Group, Career Development Partners, and PMG Employment Consultants.

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$24,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas – $63,907 Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pacesetter Personnel Services, Right Recruiting, Callos Resource, and The Judge Group.

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$19,000

$134,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky – $70,826 Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Onboard.jobs, Ability Professional Network, North Shore Staffing Group, and Philips Recruiting Services.

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$15,000

$167,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana – $63,702 Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Roland and Associates, Career Brokers, Inc., Executive Leadership Solutions, and Robert Half Finance & Accounting.

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$17,000

$140,000

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts – $71,949 Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Nagler Group, JOHNLEONARD, Diedre Moire, and Willmott & Associates.

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$20,000

$156,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland – $65,900 Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Window Nation, United States Department Of Defense, The Lewis Group, and Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

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$18,000

$143,000

Salary Distribution
Maine – $33,561 Rank: 50th
The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Distribution Company, Accountemps, Cumberland County, and Springborn Staffing.

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$7.25

$34.40

Salary Distribution
Michigan – $72,394 Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Experis, Career Brokers, Inc., Technology Recruiting Solutions, Inc., and Bertram & Associates.

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$20,000

$155,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota – $72,343 Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like gpac, NORTH STAR, The Judge Group, and North Star Staffing.

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$26,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri – $71,332 Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Philips Recruiting Services, CMD And Associates, Professional Recruiting Group, and PMG Employment Consultants.

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$16,000

$167,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi – $77,652 Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Military4Hire, Arthur Wright and Associates, Byrnes and Rupkey, Inc., and Career Brokers, Inc..

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$30,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Montana – $59,305 Rank: 48th
The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Montana.

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$18,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina – $64,226 Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group, Client of Roljobs technology Services, OPTIMUM CAREER SOLUTIONS, and Crowd Recruiting.

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$16,000

$144,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota – $80,279 Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group, Spherion, North Dakota State Government, and Energy Recruiting Services, LLC.

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$23,000

$171,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska – $64,392 Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Professional Source USA, The Judge Group, State of Nebraska, and Aerotek.

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$20,000

$134,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire – $60,512 Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, The Nagler Group, NH Job Corps, and Masiello Employment Services.

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$18,000

$128,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey – $74,666 Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gainor Staffing, HR Personnel Services, Foster Wheeler, and Staffing NOW.

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$21,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico – $59,493 Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Management Business Solutions, Parker and Lynch, Employers Pro Advantage, and New Mexico State Personnel Office.

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$15,000

$133,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada – $59,698 Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Las Vegas Valley Water District, The Judge Group, Tix4Tonight, and CyberCoders.

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$14,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
New York – $68,978 Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Workistry, Access Staffing LLC, Michael Page, and Frazer Jones Global HR Recruitment.

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$15,000

$160,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio – $70,652 Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Brokers, Inc., MMS Group, Cameron Craig Group, and JDP Search Group.

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$19,000

$153,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma – $59,699 Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group, 3coast, Planet Green Search, and AppleOne.

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$18,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon – $69,630 Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The HealthCare Initiative, Martin Search Partners, Career Brokers, Inc., and The Job Jobber.

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$23,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania – $70,372 Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gables Search Group, Bio-Partners, Tri-Force, and Bertram & Associates.

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$22,000

$146,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island – $62,533 Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Judge Group, Professional Recruiting Group, Rhode Island Department of Administration, and State of Rhode Island.

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$20,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina – $68,991 Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Search Solution Group, Bertram & Associates, Philips Recruiting Services, and PMG Employment Consultants.

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$16,000

$159,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota – $69,993 Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Client Staffing Solutions, The Job Jobber, Talentlogic Info Services Pvt. Ltd., and Executive Recruiting Services, Inc..

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$35,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee – $64,670 Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Client of CulverCareers, FPC of Concord, Arthur Wright and Associates, and The Judge Group.

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$20,000

$134,000

Salary Distribution
Texas – $65,854 Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shell, Career Brokers, Inc., Fluor Corp., and Baker Hughes Incorporated.

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$17,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Utah – $62,516 Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Utah Transit Authority, Select Staffing, PrincePerelson & Associates, and OfficeTeam.

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$14,000

$148,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia – $69,704 Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Career Brokers, Inc., fulltimeGiGS, The Job Jobber, and Fairfax County Government.

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$17,000

$156,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont – $67,818 Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting and State of Vermont.

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$18,000

$149,000

Salary Distribution
Washington – $72,833 Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Community Health Center of Snohomish County, The Judge Group, King County, and KVR Consultant.

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$22,000

$152,000

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin – $76,032 Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alliance Search Solutions, Career Brokers, Inc., fulltimeGiGS, and The Job Jobber.

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$26,000

$151,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia – $68,914 Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like DSM Staff Network, Sumo Medical Staffing, and United States Postal Service.

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$14,000

$174,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming – $71,986 Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Black Hills Corporation and State of Wyoming.

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$22,000

$150,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Human Resources Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer Name Location Average Salary
MAXI MULTISERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED South Carolina $250,000
www.CareerBrokers.com Delaware $153,022
Placement: Permanent Full-Time Position Pennsylvania $150,000
Career Brokers, Inc. Delaware $140,674
Lorelei Staffing Maryland $140,000
CITY OF LOS ALTOS California $131,997
Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia DC $131,914
Cisco California $127,046
The Judge Group Arkansas $125,034
Global Technology Solutions Client Confidential – through Mithra HR Consulting Idaho $124,109
Global Technology Solutions MNC Idaho $124,104
IBM Massachusetts $122,573
Plastic Executive Recruiters Delaware $122,471
ProSource Network DC $120,000
Global Executive Search Firm Florida $120,000
DynCorp International Inc Texas $118,545
Elgin Community College Illinois $118,488

Learn More

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Henry Steele
Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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