HR Manager salary guide 2026
A HR manager in the U.S. earns a median base salary of about $154,500 in 2026. That estimate applies the 3.4% average 2026 pay increase reported by Mercer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median of $149,280 for human resources managers. The middle half earn about $115,000 to $206,000.
$154,500
Estimated median base, 2026
$115,000–$206,000
Middle 50% of earners, 2026 est.
$277,000
Top 10% earn above, 2026 est.
What the role involves
HR managers run the people function: hiring, employee relations, policy, compliance, benefits, and often payroll. In a mid-market company the HR manager may be the senior HR leader, which widens the scope and raises the pay. Experience with multi-state compliance and growing headcount is what separates candidates.
HR Manager pay by percentile
| Percentile | BLS, May 2025 | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $88,200 | $91,000 |
| 25th percentile | $111,110 | $115,000 |
| Median | $149,280 | $154,500 |
| 75th percentile | $199,290 | $206,000 |
| 90th percentile | $267,810 | $277,000 |
BLS occupation: Human Resources Managers (SOC 11-3121).
What moves HR manager pay
When the HR manager is the most senior HR person in the company, the role usually pays closer to director level.
Employers increasingly look for HR leaders who can run compensation and retention programs, not just compliance.
Bonus and incentives
HR managers often earn an annual bonus tied to company results and goals such as hiring plans, retention, and engagement.
Key skills
Frequently asked questions
How we calculated these figures
National figures are Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates for May 2025, released May 15, 2026, the most recent official data. 2026 estimates apply the 3.4% average total pay increase U.S. employers delivered in 2026, from Mercer's survey of 756 employers. BLS wages include base pay, commissions, and production bonuses, but exclude benefits, overtime premiums, and equity.
Hiring a HR manager?
A flat-fee HR manager search with Colossus is $22,500, fixed wherever the offer lands, with a 12-month replacement guarantee. Prefer to pay only when your hire starts? Contingent search is 25% of first-year base salary, about $38,625 at a $154,500 salary.
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