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Salary Review for Human Resources (HR) Director 2024

Director of Human Resources salary
Human Resource

Salary Review for Human Resources (HR) Director 2024

The HR director is a senior position that oversees an organization’s human resources department. It is an executive position that is primarily concerned with strategic decisions. As a result, it is not shocking that the average salary for a human resources director in most companies is quite high, making the position very attractive. 

According to Glassdoor, the director of human resources salary ranges from $77,000 to $266,000. However, the salary depends on several factors and varies by location across the United States. As a result, it is worthwhile to review the statistics and see how the average HR director salary has changed over time.

Don’t worry, I have done all the research for you and will provide a brief overview of the human resources director role and responsibilities before delving into the average salary for the position across different locations in this article. Let’s get to it.

Key Takeaways 

  • An HR director has two different job responsibilities. The first one falls under the HR umbrella and the other focuses on the human resources director’s ability to manage a team.
  • The total salary for a human resources director is determined by performance, experience, education, and the ability to handle several human resources tasks.
  • According to Glassdoor, the average total income for an HR director is $165,854 per year. It is a figure that comprises $114,514 in base salary and $51,340 in extra compensation. 

What Exactly Is a Human Resources Director?

A human resource (HR) director is a senior executive responsible for planning, developing, and managing all human resource-related tasks. Their major role is ensuring an organization’s workforce is aligned with its goals.

What Does a Human Resources Director Do?

An HR director basically has two distinct job responsibilities. The first one falls under the HR umbrella, which includes: 

  • Recruitment and Staffing 
  • Compliance with regulations and employment laws. 
  • Compensation and Benefits Administration 
  • Assessment and development of organizational health 
  • Performance Management 
  • Employee Wellbeing, Health, and Safety 
  • Coaching and mentoring for employees 
  • Developing standard operating procedures 
  • Labor Relations 
  • Strategic workforce planning 
  • Succession Planning 
  • Manage and maintain employee records
  • Policy development and implementation of human resource programs

The second part of the job role focuses on the human resources director’s ability to manage a team and serve as a role model (leader) in the company. This encompasses the following skills: 

  • Employee Relation Skills 
  • Emotional intelligence 
  • Interpersonal skills (sometimes called people skills) 
  • Strong leadership skills in the workplace 
  • Decision-making skills 
  • Teamwork 
  • Public speaking
  • Problem-solving skills 
  • Organizational skills

Most successful HR directors are able to manage both of these areas.

Read More: Director of Human Resources: Responsibilities, Skills and Salary

Average Human Resources Director Salary 

The average salary for a human resources director is determined by several factors, including industry, organization size, and job description complexity. Regardless, I have put together the average yearly compensation statistics for the HR director role, compiled from various salary-reporting sources, which are shown below.

Glassdoor 

According to Glassdoor, the average total income for an HR director is $165,854 per year. It is a figure that comprises $114,514 in base salary and $51,340 in extra compensation. 

Glassdoor also reports that the HR director’s salary ranges from $124,00 to $227,000. The latter figure represents the seniority and relevance of the position in the organization.

Indeed 

According to Indeed, the average annual base salary for a human resources director is $103,936. According to the statistics, directors with more than ten years of experience earn a higher base salary of $147,095. Employers often offer major benefits to HR directors, including paid time off, relocation assistance, and professional development opportunities. 

PayScale 

According to PayScale, the average base salary for a human resources director is $96,659 per year. However, it also shows that the total pay for the job could rise to $148,00 when extra compensations are factored in. These statistics include bonuses of up to $26,000, profit-sharing of up to $16,000, and commissions of up to $31,000.

Career Outlook for the HR Director Position 

The HR director is already in a very senior position. As a result, their career path involves moving up to more ambitious executive positions. While they continue to oversee the human resources department in higher-level positions, their responsibilities as an executive for the company grow. With additional experience, an HR director can advance to the position of VP of HR. 

The average salary for more senior positions on the human resources director career path (according to Glassdoor and reported in June 2024) are as follows:

Vice President of HR 

The VP of HR oversees all aspects of an organization’s human resources department and serves as the primary strategic voice. However, they play a significant part in the organization’s growth. The average yearly salary for a VP of HR is $345,548 with a base pay of $198,064 and additional pay of $147,484.

Highest Paying Cities for HR Directors 

According to PayScale, the cities with the highest-paying proposal writing positions, categorized by location in the United States, are listed below. 

US West Coast

San Francisco: $150,782. 

Richmond: $90,000. 

US Midwest/Rocky Mountains

Chicago: $111,441 

US East Coast 

Reston: $150,179 

Arlington: $118, 039

US South 

Tampa: $92,458

Gender Disparity in HR Director Salary

Based on over 3,623 PayScale reviews the gender breakdown is as follows.

Female HR Directors: 84.6%. 

Male HR Directors: 14.6%. 

Self-defining HR Directors: 0.6% 

The total salary for a human resources director is determined by performance, experience, education, and the ability to handle several human resources tasks.

Education Level for HR Director Position 

The HR director position is an important leadership position in an organization. Because it is a senior position, it requires extensive qualifications and a broad skill set. An HR director’s salary increases with their level of qualification. 

An undergraduate degree in business administration or human resources is required for the position of HR director. However, you can also get the job with an MBA in a specialized field, such as finance. 

An HR director should have multiple certifications that show their leadership and human resources skills. Some prominent ones are listed below:

  • SHRM: Their senior certified professional certification is appropriate for an HR professional pursuing a more serious position, such as HR director. 
  • HRCI: It offers multiple certifications for senior professionals, including the ‘Senior Professional in Human Resources’ certification.

Read More: Is Human Resources a Good Career Choice for You? A Detailed Guide for Your HR Journey

Human Resources Director Salary in Top Companies 

According to Glassdoor, below is the annual average human resources director salary in some of the top companies across several industries. 

  • Intel: $288,000 
  • Johnson & Johnson: $254,000 
  • Microsoft: $270,000 
  • Google: $366,000
  • Bristol Myers Squibb: $309,000

Conclusion 

The HR director consistently leads and makes strategic decisions for the human resources department. They are also an important executive position that helps guide the organization’s growth. 

If you want to be an HR director, you must have extensive professional expertise in the HR industry and strong leadership skills. Such qualities will help you get desirable career opportunities. However, while applying for a position, keep the salary statistics in mind to make a more informed and better decision.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is the Highest-Paid Job in Human Resources?

Top 8 HR jobs

  1. Vice President, Talent Acquisition. Salary: $283,000 – $498,000. 
  2. Chief People Officer. Salary: $245,000 – $450,000.
  3. VP, Human Resources. Salary: $241,000 – $420,000.
  4. Chief Talent Officer. Salary: $237,000 – $436,000.
  5. Change Management Director. Salary: $178,000 – 299,000.
  6. Compensation Director. Salary: $168,000 – $278,000 
  7. Stock Plan Administration Manager. Salary: $140,000 – $239,000.
  8. Global HR Manager. Salary: $139,000 – $228,000.

What Does a Director of Human Resources Do?

A human resource (HR) director, often known as a chief human resources officer (CHRO), is a senior executive in charge of all human resource strategy, development, and management. Their major role is ensuring an organization’s workforce is aligned with its goals.

What Is the Difference Between HR and HR Director?

An HR director delegates responsibility for the human resources department’s day-to-day operations to the HR manager. The HR director is more concerned with the big picture of how human resources contribute to the organization’s goals and missions, according to Insights for Professionals.

Who Does an HR Director Report To?

It is widely advocated that the Head of HR should report directly to the CEO rather than to another executive, such as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Can HR Director Fire an Employee?

HR derives its power from the top. They are endowed by the company president or whoever is in charge. So, if HR can fire employees against the wishes of their managers, such authority comes from the president or CEO and can be rescinded. In other words, HR only has the last say if the CEO grants it.

What Level Is HR Director?

Individuals advance to the position of HR Director after gaining 10 to 15 years of experience handling a various HR responsibilities. This position entails overseeing a variety of HR operations, aligning HR practices with company goals, and providing senior leadership.

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References 

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