Careers

Best Paying HR Jobs

Updated on February 13, 2024

Written by

Frank Gogol

Written by

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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The Human Resources (HR) field offers a range of high-paying career opportunities for professionals looking to advance their careers. From specialists who focus on labor relations to top executive positions that steer the HR strategy of an entire organization, here are some of the top-paying jobs in HR.

Employee Relations Specialist

Average Salary: $61,267 annually
Job Description: Acts as a liaison between labor unions and management, ensuring employment contracts adhere to labor regulations.
Responsibilities: Negotiating contracts, handling legal and public relations issues related to labor.
Required Education: Deep knowledge of industry laws and labor politics is essential, along with strong negotiation and legal document interpretation skills.

Executive Recruiter

Average Salary: $67,276 annually
Job Description: Specializes in recruiting candidates for senior executive positions, requiring a good understanding of the industry.
Responsibilities: Interviewing candidates, ensuring a good skill and cultural fit, and presenting candidates to organizations.
Required Education: Often requires extensive experience in recruitment, with a focus on senior-level positions.

Human Resources Manager

Average Salary: $67,948 annually
Job Description: Acts as a generalist, ensuring all company procedures comply with policies and laws.
Responsibilities: Overseeing staffing, benefits, training, compensation, and other HR aspects.
Required Education: An MBA in HR management is beneficial but not compulsory. Specialized certifications can improve job prospects.

HR Consultant

Average Salary: $74,523 annually
Job Description: Analyzes an organization’s HR situation and helps devise solutions to issues.
Responsibilities: Framing policies, employment structures, performance incentives, and benefits packages.
Required Education: Generally requires years of experience in HR and a wide range of human resource skills.

Training and Development Manager

Average Salary: $76,903 annually
Job Description: Responsible for all aspects of employee education, training, and career development.
Responsibilities: Conducting training programs, personal and professional development courses.
Required Education: Good communication skills are required, along with a solid knowledge of regulatory procedures and compliance requirements.

Compensation and Benefits Manager

Average Salary: $87,957 annually
Job Description: Prepares and implements compensation and benefits programs for employees.
Responsibilities: Developing salary structures, understanding insurance, pension, company policies, and employment laws.
Required Education: A deep understanding of pay, perks, and various allowances is needed. Some corporations also require knowledge of strategic management.

HR Director

Average Salary: $89,011 annually
Job Description: Responsible for all HR activities within the organization, including policies on hiring, compensation, promotion, and retention.
Responsibilities: Studying the industry to design overall compensation systems, framing programs, and benefits plans.
Required Education: Generally requires more than a decade of experience in HR, often moving up from an HR manager position.

Chief HR Officer / Vice President of Human Resources

Average Salary: $150,887 annually
Job Description: In charge of all human resources management activities, policies, and goals within the organization.
Responsibilities: Overseeing recruitment, training & development, employee benefits, contracts, policy creation, and labor relations.
Required Education: Requires one to two decades of experience in high-responsibility corporate HR positions.

Final Thoughts

A career in HR can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding. These top-paying jobs require a blend of experience, education, and specialized skills. Whether you’re interested in the detailed work of employee relations or the strategic oversight of a Chief HR Officer, there’s a high-paying HR role suited to your skills and career ambitions.