HR Manager Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Human Resources Managers" (11-3121); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
HR managers plan and coordinate an organization's workforce strategy, including recruiting, employee relations, compensation, and compliance. They bridge organizational leadership and employee needs.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for HR Manager
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $209,340 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $185,100 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $184,990 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $177,960 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $171,360 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $170,940 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $168,400 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | $163,190 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $161,250 |
| 10 | Minneapolis, MN | $159,390 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $181,070 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $170,866 |
| 3 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $164,441 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $163,440 |
| 5 | Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $163,260 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $161,596 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | 100.1 | $161,157 |
| 8 | Richmond, VA | 97.9 | $155,521 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $154,194 |
| 10 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $152,058 |
HR Manager Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $160,250 | $209,340 | $282,700 | $323,850 | 4,960 |
| New York, NY | $142,490 | $185,100 | $242,400 | $323,820 | 18,480 |
| Boston, MA | $139,310 | $184,990 | $232,930 | $317,690 | 6,480 |
| Washington, DC | $140,360 | $177,960 | $214,420 | $282,330 | 6,280 |
| Seattle, WA | $136,590 | $171,360 | $219,000 | $291,480 | 3,200 |
| Denver, CO | $137,500 | $170,940 | $210,620 | $277,530 | 2,540 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $126,970 | $168,400 | $216,320 | $299,740 | 9,070 |
| San Diego, CA | $124,470 | $163,190 | $208,460 | $282,400 | 2,300 |
| Atlanta, GA | $123,420 | $161,250 | $209,360 | $286,790 | 5,300 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $126,110 | $159,390 | $205,450 | $250,810 | 3,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $126,000 | $158,930 | $204,770 | $292,290 | 2,310 |
| Chicago, IL | $121,230 | $156,770 | $200,710 | $270,150 | 10,810 |
| Richmond, VA | $116,260 | $152,190 | $200,640 | $253,890 | 960 |
| Detroit, MI | $121,920 | $149,980 | $183,060 | $232,790 | 3,090 |
| Portland, OR | $119,880 | $148,900 | $187,220 | $258,630 | 2,010 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $114,170 | $145,610 | $183,890 | $229,350 | 3,160 |
| Raleigh, NC | $119,610 | $144,190 | $196,670 | $264,980 | 1,080 |
| Miami, FL | $106,020 | $142,940 | $174,690 | $226,200 | 3,550 |
| Houston, TX | $105,090 | $142,110 | $177,120 | $224,150 | 5,890 |
| Dallas, TX | $109,250 | $140,890 | $181,200 | $232,540 | 7,970 |
| Austin, TX | $110,200 | $140,670 | $192,420 | $254,960 | 2,730 |
| Memphis, TN | $107,130 | $138,560 | $176,520 | $219,780 | 760 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $109,460 | $135,770 | $171,590 | $219,950 | 1,300 |
| Nashville, TN | $108,330 | $135,230 | $170,600 | $225,240 | 1,840 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $104,310 | $133,620 | $171,520 | $224,480 | 1,290 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $100,290 | $131,690 | $173,120 | $214,820 | 1,600 |
| Columbus, OH | $97,990 | $131,100 | $170,530 | $220,890 | 1,870 |
| El Paso, TX | $89,750 | $122,780 | $157,200 | $198,160 | 380 |
| Louisville, KY | $97,700 | $122,360 | $153,950 | $195,970 | 730 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $88,800 | $115,770 | $163,480 | $200,250 | 830 |
5About the HR Manager Role
HR managers plan and coordinate an organization's workforce strategy, including recruiting, employee relations, compensation, and compliance. They bridge organizational leadership and employee needs.
Compensation for HR Managers varies by metro — from $115,770 at the low end in Oklahoma City, OK to $209,340 in San Francisco, CA. The $93,570 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see hr manager salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average HR Manager salary in the US?
The national median HR Manager salary is $149,280 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $111,110 and the 90th percentile reaches $267,810.
Which city pays HR Managers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for HR Managers at $209,340 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). New York, NY ($185,100) and Boston, MA ($184,990) are next.