2024 Human Resources Salaries and Hiring Trends

Employers are looking for professionals who are experienced in compensation and benefits as well as those who can step into roles such as HR specialist and HR business partner. Professionals with experience in payroll-related software are also in high demand.

Many managers prioritize upskilling employees for new roles, but hiring remains active for many positions.

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Compensation and Benefits

Human Resources

Recruitment

HRIS

Position Title

25th Percentile

50th Percentile

75th Percentile

Director of Total Rewards

103000

125250

146500

Compensation Administrator

60750

68500

88750

Compensation/Total Rewards Analyst

53750

57750

70000

Human Resources (HR) Benefits Specialist

43500

61000

75250

25th Percentile

New to the role, with little or no experience; requires more than casual instruction or supervision to perform day-to-day duties

50th Percentile

Has the experience to consistently perform core responsibilities without direct supervision; very comfortable with processes and subject matter associated with the role

75th Percentile

Value to the organization goes far beyond the ability to perform normal job duties; has rare qualifications that enable consistent contribution in unique ways; ready for next career level when available

Hiring Trends in Human Resources

Demand high for compensation and benefits administrators

Workers in all fields are attracted to a comprehensive benefits package, increasing the need for HR professionals with experience as compensation and benefits administrators. Candidates knowledgeable in workforce management software are in high demand. Meanwhile, companies are bringing in contract HR professionals skilled in a variety of areas to help overburdened staff cope with heavy workloads.

HR strategy Recruitment Compensation
and benefits
management Employee relations  Human resource
management HR strategy Recruitment Compensation
and benefits
management Employee relations  Human resource
management

Employers need to hire quickly

Some employers are taking longer to make hiring decisions. This gives firms that can move quickly the ability to secure their top-choice HR candidates before competitors can act. Managers who can’t find the help they need often engage talent solutions firms to recruit candidates for permanent roles and provide contract professionals who can support core staff.

Hottest jobs

In-demand accreditations and skills

ADP

Concur

Excel (advanced)

Human resources information systems (HRIS)

Human resources information program (HRIP)

Professional in human resources (PHR)

SHRM certified-professional (SHRM-CP)

Workday

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How do we determine our salary figures? See our methodology.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent starting compensation only, meaning pay for someone new to a company in the position listed. Our estimates do not include bonuses, benefits or perks. We report salaries in percentiles and ranges, recognizing that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

Other data referenced in this Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. Respondents included hiring managers and employees from small (less than $50 million in revenues), midsize ($50 million to $1 billion) and large ($1 billion or greater) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across the United States.