How Much Does a Chief HR Officer Make in 2025?
The chief HR officer oversees all human resources policies and initiatives, encompassing talent acquisition, training, remuneration, and employee assistance. They align human resources initiatives with company objectives, guarantee compliance, and utilize data to improve employee experience and create creative programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that chief HR officer will see a growth of 6% over the next 10 years.
According to our report, the average chief HR officer earns a base hourly rate of $111, which translates to an annual salary of $231,601 as of July 15, 2025. However, pay varies by experience, industry, location, and certifications, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average Chief HR Officer Salary?
As of July 15, 2025, the average chief HR officer salary in the United States is $231,601 per year. For the hourly wage, chief HR officers have an average salary of $111 per hour, with rates ranging from $91 to $137 per hour.
2025 Chief HR Officer Average Salary: $231,601 per year ($111 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for a chief HR officer are $4,454 and $19,300, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Chief HR Officer?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for this job title starts at $190,144 and can reach as high as $283,947, per year.
However, as noted earlier, the salary range for chief HR officers varies based on factors such as education, experience level, and location. Employers in different industries may also offer varied pay scales.
Chief HR Officer Salary Range: $190,144 to $283,947 per year ($91 to $137 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $91 | $3,657 | $15,845 | $190,144 |
| 25th | $101 | $4,037 | $17,492 | $209,901 |
| 50th (Median) | $111 | $4,454 | $19,300 | $231,601 |
| 75th | $125 | $4,981 | $21,583 | $259,001 |
| 90th | $137 | $5,461 | $23,662 | $283,947 |
Chief HR Officer Salary Factors
Several factors influence a chief HR officer's salary, including education, location, experience, and performance. Below is a breakdown of each factor and its impact on earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for chief HR officers varies by experience, ranging from $212,562 per year for entry-level positions to $224,801 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Chief HR Officer | <1 | $212,562 |
| Intermediate Level Chief HR Officer | 1-2 | $214,353 |
| Senior Level Chief HR Officer | 2-4 | $216,741 |
| Specialist Level Chief HR Officer | 5-8 | $220,323 |
| Expert Level Chief HR Officer | 8+ | $224,801 |
Place of Work
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the specific workplace significantly influences chief HR officer's salaries. Chief HR officers who serve in professional, scientific, and technical services earn as much as $163,970 in 2024, which is higher than those in healthcare and social assistance.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $163,970 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $163,180 |
| Manufacturing | $137,570 |
| Government | $124,930 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $120,010 |
Skill Set
Chief HR officers with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. A search through Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that chief HR officers with leadership development skills can earn 6.28% more than those without.
Also, a Chief HR Officer with employee engagement skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 5.35%, followed by skills like employee relationship management and change management. To determine salary growth, employers analyze the number of years of experience, certifications, and specialized skills that a chief HR officer brings to the role.
| Skill | Demand (%) | Salary Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership Development | 19.73% | +6.28% |
| Employee Engagement | 31.04% | +5.35% |
| Employee Relationship Management | 43.41% | +4.85% |
| Change Management | 24.09% | +3.98% |
| Compensation Management | 29.51% | +2.39% |
| Human Resources Operations | 22.88% | +2.26% |
Chief HR Officer Salary by City and State
The location of a chief HR officer can also impact their salary. This information is valuable for analyzing salary trends, negotiating pay, or planning a career in the industry.
Highest Paying States for Chief HR Officer
Based on Salary.com compensation data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for chief HR officers in the United States, at $256,401 per year, followed by California at $225,501.
- District of Columbia: $256,401 ($123 per hour)
- California: $255,501 ($123 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $252,101 ($121 per hour)
- Washington: $251,001 ($121 per hour)
- New Jersey: $251,001 ($121 per hour)
Chief HR Officer Salary by State
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $250,701 |
| Alabama | $212,801 |
| Arizona | $209,201 |
| Arkansas | $225,701 |
| California | $255,501 |
| Colorado | $236,301 |
| Connecticut | $247,501 |
| District of Columbia | $256,401 |
| Delaware | $234,601 |
| Florida | $219,201 |
| Georgia | $223,401 |
| Hawaii | $242,101 |
| Iowa | $221,701 |
| Idaho | $216,201 |
| Illinois | $236,101 |
| Indiana | $222,301 |
| Kansas | $220,501 |
| Kentucky | $218,001 |
| Louisiana | $220,201 |
| Massachusetts | $252,101 |
| Maryland | $238,801 |
| Maine | $225,801 |
| Michigan | $228,101 |
| Minnesota | $237,001 |
| Missouri | $220,101 |
| Mississippi | $206,601 |
| Montana | $218,701 |
| North Carolina | $220,101 |
| North Dakota | $228,801 |
| Nebraska | $218,201 |
| New Hampshire | $234,201 |
| New Jersey | $251,001 |
| New Mexico | $214,501 |
| Nevada | $229,201 |
| New York | $246,201 |
| Ohio | $225,501 |
| Oklahoma | $214,201 |
| Oregon | $235,201 |
| Pennsylvania | $230,601 |
| Rhode Island | $240,101 |
| South Carolina | $217,001 |
| South Dakota | $210,501 |
| Tennessee | $216,401 |
| Texas | $225,901 |
| Utah | $221,801 |
| Virginia | $233,201 |
| Vermont | $227,301 |
| Washington | $251,101 |
| Wisconsin | $227,801 |
| West Virginia | $208,601 |
Highest Paying Cities for Chief HR Officer
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest pay for chief HR officer at $202,101 per year or $140 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for chief HR officer are:
- San Jose, CA: $202,101 per year
- San Francisco, CA: $289,301 per year
- Oakland, CA: $282,801 per year
- New York, NY: $268,401 per year
- Queens Village, NY: $266,701 per year
- Paramus, NJ: $264,801 per year
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Chief HR Officer
Chief HR officers can boost their salary by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles to meet evolving organizational needs.
- Acquire experience in the industry: More experience in leadership development skills leads to higher pay. Entry-level chief HR officers earn about $212,562 per year, while those with 8+ years make around $224,801 per year, according to Salary.com reports. Having extensive experience allows you to access better opportunities and higher compensation packages.
- Acquire in-demand skills: Improve and develop skills like leadership development, employee management and employee relationship management. These skills can lead to higher salaries, which salary.com indicates that it can generate a salary increase of 6.28%, 5.35% and 4.85%, respectively.
- Negotiate your compensation: Know the average salary for your role and location. Show how you help the company grow and confidently respond to offers or counter offers. As of July 15, 2025, the average chief HR officer salary in the United States is $231,601 per year.
- Work in a high-paying industry: Certain industries and cities provide higher compensation compared to others. Look into transitioning into professional, scientific, and technical services, as these sectors frequently offer higher salaries, according to BLS. Don't keep waiting, act now to maximize your potential earnings.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of July 15, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for chief HR officers in the United States is total $205,351.4 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$231,601/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$168,711/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$330,000/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$158,543/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$137,902/year
