Human Resources Managers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, human resources managers earn $172,970 at the median — $83.16 an hour. Entry-level workers start around $106K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.) Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $158,863 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,246/month, or 22% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $173K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About human resources managers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level human resources managers (10th percentile) start around $106K. Mid-career wages sit at $173K.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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Management
Frequently asked questions
How much do human resources managers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $172,970 a year - that works out to about $83.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $105,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $173K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,760/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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 $158,863 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.