A human resources (HR) manager is someone who oversees the administrative and organizational functions of a company or business. The manager usually heads the HR department, and they play an important role as a bridge between management and employees.
HR managers work in nearly every industry. As long as a company has employees, an HR manager is typically needed to oversee hiring, training, and the organization and development of the company culture.
The national average salary for an HR Manager is $70,296, based on data from Glassdoor and Payscale.com. Entry-level HR Managers with less than five years of experience are paid $56,000 on average. During their mid-career, they see their average salary rising to $78,000. Further experience doesn’t influence their salary much, reaching only $80,000 on average after more than 20 years in the profession.
HR Managers are most often promoted to the role of Human resources (HR) Director, while some may advance to VP of Human Resources (HR) if they work in the IT industry. They can further become Chief HR Officers.
Who is an HR Manager?
An HR manager is in charge of the human resources department. They oversee those who perform HR tasks such as finding and hiring new talent. From there, they onboard talent and ensure that the HR file is complete and complies with company procedures and state and federal laws. But the HR manager does more than just hire and onboard people. They work with existing staff to train and develop them into higher positions in the company.
A good HR manager is an integral part of the company’s talent growth.
The HR manager has many roles and responsibilities. At times HR Managers are seen as the individual who only posts on job boards for recruitment. However, the job is more about talent acquisition and development, as well as keeping the company compliant with laws. They also manage payroll and benefits for the company and serve as a resource for employees with questions about those topics.
What do HR Managers do?
As a human resources manager, you’ll typically perform a wide range of tasks depending on the type of organization and industry you work for. Some of the most common human resources manager duties include:
- Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff
- Supervising disputes and overseeing disciplinary procedures
- Handling employee relations
- Ensuring safety and health on the job
- Managing employee benefit and compensation programs
The role of a human resources manager will largely depend on the size of the company. In some smaller companies, you may serve as an HR generalist, overseeing the entire scope of human resources. Other companies may have more than one HR manager in the human resources department, each with their own specialty.
In larger organizations with more specialized human resources management roles, the specialties will often be broken down into the following categories:
- HR development: Conducts training sessions and onboarding for new and seasoned employees
- Workforce planning and employment: Helps find new talent for the company
- Employee relations: Helps negotiate union contracts, resolve grievances, and negotiate collective bargaining agreements and is responsible for employee involvement, engagement programs, and similar employee-related roles
- Risk management: Conducts inspections, maintains accident records, develops health and safety programs, and works to ensure the well-being of all employees
- Total rewards: Oversees employee compensation and benefits programs
HR Manager salary
The national average salary for an HR Manager is $70,296, based on data from Glassdoor and Payscale.com. Entry-level HR Managers with less than five years of experience are paid $56,000 on average. During their mid-career, they see their average salary rising to $78,000. Further experience doesn’t influence their salary much, reaching only $80,000 on average after more than 20 years in the profession.
While there are monthly salaries as high as $12,667 and as low as $2,125, the majority of HR Manager salaries currently range between $4,208 (25th percentile) to $7,833 (75th percentile) across the United States. The average salary range for an HR Manager varies greatly (by as much as $3,625).
This suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased salary based on skill level, location and years of experience.
HR Manager salary by state
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $88,568 | $7,380 | $1,703 | $42.58 |
| Vermont | $87,213 | $7,267 | $1,677 | $41.93 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,108 | $6,759 | $1,559 | $38.99 |
| Washington | $79,696 | $6,641 | $1,532 | $38.32 |
| New Hampshire | $79,204 | $6,600 | $1,523 | $38.08 |
| New Jersey | $78,817 | $6,568 | $1,515 | $37.89 |
| Massachusetts | $78,664 | $6,555 | $1,512 | $37.82 |
| Alaska | $78,284 | $6,523 | $1,505 | $37.64 |
| Oregon | $77,495 | $6,457 | $1,490 | $37.26 |
| Wisconsin | $77,494 | $6,457 | $1,490 | $37.26 |
| North Dakota | $77,392 | $6,449 | $1,488 | $37.21 |
| Wyoming | $77,356 | $6,446 | $1,487 | $37.19 |
| Hawaii | $75,909 | $6,325 | $1,459 | $36.49 |
| Indiana | $75,899 | $6,324 | $1,459 | $36.49 |
| Colorado | $75,241 | $6,270 | $1,446 | $36.17 |
| New Mexico | $74,475 | $6,206 | $1,432 | $35.81 |
| Arizona | $74,329 | $6,194 | $1,429 | $35.74 |
| Minnesota | $74,205 | $6,183 | $1,427 | $35.68 |
| Nevada | $74,020 | $6,168 | $1,423 | $35.59 |
| Montana | $73,210 | $6,100 | $1,407 | $35.20 |
| South Dakota | $73,144 | $6,095 | $1,406 | $35.17 |
| Ohio | $72,317 | $6,026 | $1,390 | $34.77 |
| Alabama | $72,295 | $6,024 | $1,390 | $34.76 |
| Rhode Island | $71,779 | $5,981 | $1,380 | $34.51 |
| Delaware | $71,313 | $5,942 | $1,371 | $34.29 |
| Virginia | $70,519 | $5,876 | $1,356 | $33.90 |
| Iowa | $70,518 | $5,876 | $1,356 | $33.90 |
| Connecticut | $70,505 | $5,875 | $1,355 | $33.90 |
| Mississippi | $69,659 | $5,804 | $1,339 | $33.49 |
| Illinois | $69,458 | $5,788 | $1,335 | $33.39 |
| California | $69,187 | $5,765 | $1,330 | $33.26 |
| Maryland | $69,122 | $5,760 | $1,329 | $33.23 |
| Tennessee | $69,044 | $5,753 | $1,327 | $33.19 |
| Utah | $68,795 | $5,732 | $1,322 | $33.07 |
| Nebraska | $67,818 | $5,651 | $1,304 | $32.60 |
| Maine | $67,775 | $5,647 | $1,303 | $32.58 |
| Georgia | $67,348 | $5,612 | $1,295 | $32.38 |
| Missouri | $66,949 | $5,579 | $1,287 | $32.19 |
| South Carolina | $66,279 | $5,523 | $1,274 | $31.87 |
| Idaho | $66,035 | $5,502 | $1,269 | $31.75 |
| Oklahoma | $65,676 | $5,473 | $1,263 | $31.58 |
| Kansas | $65,574 | $5,464 | $1,261 | $31.53 |
| Texas | $65,454 | $5,454 | $1,258 | $31.47 |
| North Carolina | $64,911 | $5,409 | $1,248 | $31.21 |
| Louisiana | $64,787 | $5,398 | $1,245 | $31.15 |
| West Virginia | $62,641 | $5,220 | $1,204 | $30.12 |
| Kentucky | $62,413 | $5,201 | $1,200 | $30.01 |
| Michigan | $62,340 | $5,195 | $1,198 | $29.97 |
| Florida | $59,602 | $4,966 | $1,146 | $28.66 |
| Arkansas | $59,269 | $4,939 | $1,139 | $28.50 |
Key responsibilities of an HR Manager
Here is a deeper look at some of the key responsibilities of the HR manager.
Recruiting new employees
Human resource managers keep track of the company’s talent needs and spend time recruiting the right talent to fill those needs. They work with hiring managers to define roles and responsibilities and screen talent to meet with them. The HR manager may oversee everything from writing a job description to setting up interviews with managers.
Liaison between employees and management
C-suite executives must have a way to draft new policies, deliver essential training and communicate company-wide changes in the office. HR managers are the puzzle piece that allows C-suite executives to do all of this. HR will often communicate on behalf of the executive team for any changes that may cause uncertainty company-wide.
The role of the HR manager is to deliver in a personable fashion to eliminate doubt and distrust.
Administer payroll and benefits
HR Manager is responsible for putting the proper resources and processes in place for payroll and benefits to run smoothly. Employee benefits can include health and dental plans, paid time off, pension plans and wellness and training benefits.
Reinforce company culture
The HR manager and department are often new employees’ first interactions with the company. They are also the point of contact when conflict arises. As such, they must convey the company’s values and vision statements. Employees will get a sense of the company culture through their interactions with HR, which helps set the tone for the rest of the organization.
Health and safety training
Because HR managers must keep the company in compliance with health and safety rules and regulations, they are also responsible for the training employees undergo to learn about health and safety regulations. The HR manager may have one set of training for new employees followed by regular annual training programs that reinforce health and safety in the workplace.
Dispute resolution
Human resource managers help employees get along and are available when there is a need for conflict resolution. Not only do HR managers hear both sides of the story, but they are also able to discipline employees, transfer people to different departments or terminate employees in serious scenarios. The goal in these situations is to de-escalate tension among employees so that the workplace is pleasant.
HR Manager skills and qualifications
A high-quality candidate for a Human Resources Manager position will have an array of skills and qualifications. The skills people need for the role include both soft, transferable skills and hard skills, such as knowledge of specific software. Job listings may include educational requirements and a specified number of years of relevant work experience. A list of qualifications and skills may include:
- A bachelor’s degree in human resources, labor relations, organizational development, business or related area; relevant work experience may be a substitute
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite
- Experience with the human resources information system (HRIS) used by your company, such as Workday, Zoho People, Cloud HR, SmartRecruiters and others
- Knowledge of a broad range of human resource strategies and practices, including compensation, performance management, safety, hiring and employee relations; able to apply these strategies and practices in compliance with employment regulations
- Ability to create a culture of diversity, inclusivity, collaboration and teamwork
- Experience with analyzing data to guide strategic employment planning
Certifications can also help enhance your resume and validate that you have the skills necessary for the job. Some companies require popular certifications, such as:
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) focuses on mastery of skills relating to the technical and operational functions of HR management.
- Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) is intended for HR managers who work in employee learning and performance.
- Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD) is designed for HR professionals who work in talent management.
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) is meant for senior management or HR directors who want to take their skills and training to the next level.
- Senior SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) prepares people to be leaders in HR management and focuses on employee performance and efficiency.
Bottom line
HR Managers are generally employed by mid-size companies or large corporations that have a dedicated human resources department to oversee staffing policies, improve employee retention and motivate staff through creating employee wellness initiatives. They ensure compliance with industry regulations, keep detailed records of job descriptions, schedule interviews for job candidates and conduct onboarding and new employee orientation. They field complaints from employees and use a structured system to respond to any issues within an organization.
Human resources managers also manage benefits administration, update payroll and communicate with staff about policy changes.
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