California Median
$170,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$81.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $149,280
State Rank
#5 of 51
27,450 employed here
How much does a Human Resource Managers make in California?
A Human Resource Managers working in California earns a median salary of $170,080 per year, or about $81.77 per hour. That is 14% above the national median of $149,280 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $96,430 while the top 10% make $307,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $129,210 and $224,990 a year.
Human Resource Managers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,430 | $46.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $129,210 | $62.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $170,080 | $81.77 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $224,990 | $108.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $307,600 | $147.88 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Human Resource Managers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Human Resource Managers salary in other states
District of Columbia $184,350Massachusetts $181,780New York $176,650New Jersey $172,440Rhode Island $167,110Colorado $166,400Virginia $165,980Connecticut $165,930Washington $165,530Delaware $153,890Minnesota $153,770Maryland $152,770Illinois $151,370Georgia $150,700North Carolina $142,990Oregon $140,570Arizona $139,820North Dakota $139,050Michigan $138,930Florida $137,790Texas $136,500New Hampshire $135,000Kansas $134,470Wisconsin $133,490Pennsylvania $133,060Vermont $132,050Tennessee $131,760Utah $131,380Missouri $130,680Ohio $130,480Indiana $130,340Maine $129,720Alaska $129,570Nebraska $129,460Hawaii $128,910Nevada $128,550Wyoming $127,520Iowa $126,370South Carolina $124,290Kentucky $121,460West Virginia $120,020Idaho $119,990New Mexico $118,070South Dakota $117,930Oklahoma $116,080Montana $115,280Alabama $113,210Arkansas $108,580Louisiana $107,880Mississippi $106,100
Working as a Human Resource Managers in California
Nationally, about 221,000 people work as Human Resources Managers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($170,080) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Human Resource Managers make in California?
The median Human Resource Managers salary in California is $170,080 per year, or about $81.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $96,430 at the entry level to $307,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Human Resources Managers about 14% more than the national median of $149,280. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Human Resources Managers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $170,080 a year. About 27,450 Human Resources Managers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Human Resource Managers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.