Human Resources Managers Salary
In District of Columbia, human resources managers earn $184,350 at the median, or about $88.63 an hour. The range runs from $113K at the entry level to $275K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $169,315 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 20.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $184K get you in District of Columbia?
About human resources managers
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for human resources managers, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $149K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 20.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, District of Columbia offers a genuinely strong financial position for human resources managerss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level human resources managers (10th percentile) start around $113K. Mid-career wages sit at $184K. Top earners bring in $275K or more, a $162K spread from bottom to top.
Human Resources Managers salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $178K | -3% | 6,280 |
Compare to other states
Track human resources managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a human resources manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $184K, rent takes 20.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for human resources managers in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new human resources managers typically earn — is $113K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,798/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 32% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is human resources manager a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $184K here vs. $149K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for human resources managers?
District of Columbia pays $184K median vs. the U.S. average of $149K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $169K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do human resources managers make in District of Columbia?
The median is $184,350 a year, that works out to about $89 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $113,300, and experienced human resources managers can clear $275,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $184K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $10,370/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 20.7% 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 District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median human resources managers salary is worth about $169,315 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.