Human Resources Managers Career, Salary and Skills
Human Resources Managers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $149,280 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 220,660. Wage data is published for 412 locations.
Occupation description
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
O*NET code
11-3121.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$149,280
Hourly median
$71.77
Employment
220,660
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$88,200
10th
$111,110
25th
$149,280
Median
$199,290
75th
$267,810
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.38 | 4.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.25 | 4.38 |
| Speaking | 4.25 | 4.12 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 4.25 | 4.75 |
| Writing | 4.12 | 4.00 |
| Coordination | 4.12 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Monitoring | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | 4.00 | 4.12 |
Typical tasks
- Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of subordinates and staff relating to employment, compensation, labor relations, and employee relations.
- Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
- Represent organization at personnel-related hearings and investigations.
- Negotiate bargaining agreements and help interpret labor contracts.
- Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.
- Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives.
- Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
- Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.
Technology
- AccountantsWorld Payroll Relief
- AASoftTech Web Organization Chart
- ADP Enterprise HR
- ADP ezLaborManager
- ADP HR/Benefits Solution
- ADP HR/Profile
- ADP Pay eXpert
- ADP Workforce Now
- AllNetic Working Time Tracker
- Applicant tracking software
- Arrow Electronics N/Compass
- Atlas Business Solutions Staff Files
- Authoria Adviser
- Automation Centre Personnel Tracker
Human Resources Managers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Human Resources Managers Salary in CAMedian $170,080 · Employment 27,450
- Human Resources Managers Salary in TXMedian $136,500 · Employment 23,220
- Human Resources Managers Salary in New York, NYMedian $185,100 · Employment 18,480
- Human Resources Managers Salary in NYMedian $176,650 · Employment 17,920
- Human Resources Managers Salary in ILMedian $151,370 · Employment 13,520
- Human Resources Managers Salary in FLMedian $137,790 · Employment 11,570
- Human Resources Managers Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $156,770 · Employment 10,810
- Human Resources Managers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $168,400 · Employment 9,070
- Human Resources Managers Salary in PAMedian $133,060 · Employment 8,230
- Human Resources Managers Salary in OHMedian $130,480 · Employment 8,040
- Human Resources Managers Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $140,890 · Employment 7,970
- Human Resources Managers Salary in MAMedian $181,780 · Employment 7,540
Related careers
- Payroll and Timekeeping ClerksNational median $58,260
- Medical and Health Services ManagersNational median $123,860
- Public Relations ManagersNational median $146,910
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsNational median $54,210
- Compliance ManagersNational median $141,900
- Training and Development SpecialistsNational median $69,280
- Administrative Services ManagersNational median $114,130
- Chief ExecutivesNational median $213,990
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.