Salary AI Book a Demo

Human Resources Leader Salary in the United States

How much does a Human Resources Leader make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Resources Leader in the United States is $126,132 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

However, a Human Resources Leader's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $145,080
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,237 to $136,050
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,407
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Human Resources Leader Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Human Resources Leader Salaries

A Human Resources Leader's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Human Resources Leader Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Human Resources Leader's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $108,974
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $106,144
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,065
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $155,520
  • Expert (over 8 years): $174,420
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Human Resources Generalist IV less than 1 year $108,974
Human Resources Supervisor 1-2 years $106,144
Human Resources Leader 2-4 years $124,065
Associate Human Resources Director 5-8 years $155,520
Human Resources Director over 8 years $174,420

How Do Human Resources Leader Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Human Resources Leaders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $139,653.
  • California: $139,124.
  • Massachusetts: $137,269.

Top Paying Cities for Human Resources Leader

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $159,090
  • San Francisco: $157,348
  • Oakland: $154,032

Human Resources Leader Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Human Resources Leader roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 67% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Human Resources Leader positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Human Resources Leader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Human Resources Leader

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $163,972 $79.0 30%
Financial Services $157,665 $76.0 25%
Internet $151,358 $73.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $148,836 $72.0 18%
Energy & Utilities $145,052 $70.0 15%

How Education impacts a Human Resources Leader's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Human Resources Leader professionals enter the field with a Bachelor's degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Human Resources Leader with a Bachelor's is between $115,932 and $123,691.

Human Resources Leader Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Human Resources Leader
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.1%
High School 11%
Associate's Degree 7.8%
Bachelor's Degree 49.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 29.3%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 1.3%
View as Graph

Human Resources Leader Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Human Resources Leader's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$114,237
Average $126,132/year
$136,050
$9,520
Average $10,511/month
$11,338
$2,197
Average $2,426/week
$2,616
$55
Average $61/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $136,050 $11,338 $2,616 $65
Average $126,132 $10,511 $2,426 $61
25th Percentile $114,237 $9,520 $2,197 $55

Most common benefits for Human Resources Leader

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Human Resources Leader

Here are companies hiring for Human Resources Leader and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Human Resources Leader Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Human Resources Leader job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • George J. Igel & Co., Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Human Resources

    George J. Igel & Co., Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. George J. Igel & Co., Inc. Human Resources Intern. Reports to. HR Generalist. FLSA Status. Non-Exempt. Hours. 7:00 a.m. t... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Mid-Ohio RPC | Columbus, OH

    Human Resources

    Mid-Ohio RPC | Columbus, OH

    MORPC Local Government Summer Internship ProgramThe MORPC Local Government Summer Internship Program provides the opportunity for undergraduate and graduat... more

    5 Days Ago

  • ITC Manufacturing | Columbus, OH

    Human Resources Generalist

    ITC Manufacturing | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. ABOUT ITC MANUFACTURING. Our Why: . Pride in Every Weld. Our purpose is simple - to build trust with relentless quality a... more

    2 Days Ago

  • City of Columbus | Columbus, OH

    Human Resources Manager

    City of Columbus | Columbus, OH

    Definition Under general direction, this full-time Human Resources Manager position will manage and lead department-wide workforce development efforts to c... more

    3 Days Ago

  • BakerHostetler | Columbus, OH

    Regional Human Resources Generalist

    BakerHostetler | Columbus, OH

    Regional Human Resources GeneralistThe HR Generalist will play a pivotal role in ensuring the full spectrum of human resources functions are aligned with t... more

    3 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Human Resources Leader

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Human Resources Leader?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Human Resources Leader roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst