HR Managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
HR Managers in the United States earn a median salary of $149,280 per year — about $72 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 222K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +5%.
AI & Automation Risk
Human resources management is a digital-heavy knowledge occupation where AI can significantly automate recruitment screening, payroll processing, and regulatory compliance reporting. While the role requires high-level interpersonal skills for dispute mediation and strategic leadership, the vast majority of the administrative and analytical tasks are highly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains and restructuring.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $220,460 | Above avg (110.4) | $199,650 |
| Midland, MI | $170,710 | Below avg (91.9) | $185,714 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $209,340 | Above avg (115.6) | $181,070 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $191,190 | Above avg (106.9) | $178,910 |
| Greenville, NC | $156,950 | Below avg (88.4) | $177,541 |
| Bismarck, ND | $156,110 | Below avg (91.0) | $171,504 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $184,990 | Above avg (108.3) | $170,866 |
| Peoria, IL | $154,490 | Below avg (91.2) | $169,339 |
| Binghamton, NY | $156,640 | Below avg (92.9) | $168,679 |
| Yakima, WA | $160,640 | Below avg (95.5) | $168,130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $160,580 | Average (97.6) | $164,576 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $185,100 | Above avg (112.6) | $164,441 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $177,960 | Above avg (108.9) | $163,440 |
| Jackson, MI | $149,930 | Below avg (91.8) | $163,360 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $158,930 | Average (97.3) | $163,260 |