Human Resources Managers Salary in California
In California, human resources managers earn $169,140 at the median — $81.32 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $98K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.)
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $169K get you in California?
About human resources managers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level human resources managers (10th percentile) start around $98K. Mid-career wages sit at $169K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Human Resources Managers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $177K | +26% | 6,730 |
| District of Columbia | $174K | +25% | 2,260 |
| New York | $171K | +22% | 16,720 |
| Washington | $169K | +21% | 5,030 |
| California | $169K | +21% | 27,680 |
| New Jersey | $166K | +19% | 6,470 |
| Rhode Island | $165K | +18% | 370 |
| Virginia | $162K | +15% | 5,910 |
| Minnesota | $152K | +9% | 4,140 |
| Maryland | $150K | +7% | 4,020 |
| Connecticut | $149K | +7% | 3,360 |
| Delaware | $146K | +4% | 630 |
| Georgia | $138K | -1% | 7,080 |
| Oregon | $136K | -3% | 2,770 |
| Illinois | $134K | -4% | 13,700 |
Track human resources managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Management
Frequently asked questions
How much do human resources managers make in California?
The median is $169,140 a year - that works out to about $81.32 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $97,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $169K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,541/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 23.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a human resources managers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median human resources managers salary is worth about $169,140 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do human resources managers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.