How Much Does a Chief Human Resources Officer Make in 2025?
The Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) plays a critical role in aligning HR strategies with organizational goals. CHROs oversee talent acquisition, employees’ training, compensation, benefits, and labor relations while reporting to the CEO.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects top executive jobs, including CHRO, to grow by 6% over the next 10 years, reflecting the increasing demand for strategic HR leadership to drive company success and revenue growth. This article provides insights into the CHRO salary, median compensation, and factors influencing pay, using the most present data as of July 01, 2025.
As demand for CHRO grows, salaries are also evolving. According to our recent report, the average CHRO salary is $349,090 per year as of July 01, 2025. However, pay varies based on several factors, which will be discussed later to help you read and understand compensation trends.
What is the Average CHRO’s Salary?
The average CHRO salary in the United States is $349,090 per year, as of July 01, 2025. For the hourly wage, CHROs have an average pay of $168 per hour, with rates ranging from $139 to $196 per hour.
2025 CHRO Average Salary: $349,090 per year ($168 per hour)
Meanwhile, the weekly and monthly salaries for a Chief Human Resources Officer are $6,713 and $29,091, respectively, based on present data.
What is the Pay Range for a CHRO?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the CHRO salary range for this job starts at $289,312 and can reach as high as $407,951 per year, with most earnings falling between $317,800 and $379,900 per year. The median compensation is $349,090, reflecting the trend in HR executives’ pay.
CHRO Salary Range: $289,312 to $407,951 per year ($139 to $196 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $139 | $5,564 | $24,109 | $289,312 |
| 25th | $153 | $6,112 | $26,483 | $317,800 |
| 50th (Median) | $168 | $6,713 | $29,091 | $349,090 |
| 75th | $183 | $7,306 | $31,658 | $379,900 |
| 90th | $196 | $7,845 | $33,996 | $407,951 |
CHRO Salary Factors
Several factors affect a Chief Human Resources Officer’s salary, such as education, location, experience, and skills. Here’s how each one impacts pay and compensation.
Years of Experience
The CHRO salary varies by experience, ranging from $330,328 per year for entry-level human resources officers to $348,980 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Level | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level CHRO | Less than 1 | $330,328 |
| Intermediate Level CHRO | 1–2 | $333,058 |
| Senior Level CHRO | 2–4 | $336,697 |
| Specialist Level CHRO | 5–8 | $342,156 |
| Expert Level CHRO | 8+ | $348,980 |
Place of Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industry in which a chief executive works has a direct impact on their salary. For instance, those working in management of companies and enterprises earned $239,200 or more, while those in the government sector earned $137,310.
| Place of Work | Salary |
|---|---|
| Management of companies and enterprises | $239,200 or more |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $208,870 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $194,360 |
| Government | $137,310 |
Skill Set
CHROs with in-demand skills can significantly increase their compensation. According to the Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data report, CHROs with specialized expertise are commanding higher salaries than those without.
For instance, a CHRO with total rewards expertise can see a +7.50% salary increase. Likewise, those with employee engagement or employee relationship management skills are also rewarded competitively, reflecting the growing importance of strategic HR leadership in today’s workforce.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Total Rewards | 19.42% | +7.50% |
| Employee Engagement | 30.33% | +5.33% |
| Employee Relationship Management | 43.06% | +5.08% |
| Human Resources Operations | 20.58% | +2.72% |
| Compensation Management | 27.69% | +2.63% |
| Talent Acquisition | 38.10% | +2.47% |
CHRO Salary by City and State
A Chief Human Resources Officer’s location can affect how much they earn. This data is useful for understanding pay trends, negotiating compensation, or planning a career in the field. Inflation and cost-of-living changes also influence these salaries.
Highest Paying States for CHROs
Based on Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average CHRO salary in the United States, at $386,520 per year, followed by California at $385,050.
- District of Columbia: $386,520
- California: $385,050
- Massachusetts: $379,920
- Washington: $378,520
- New Jersey: $378,380
CHRO Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $377,890 |
| Alabama | $320,710 |
| Arkansas | $315,370 |
| Arizona | $340,160 |
| California | $385,050 |
| Colorado | $356,180 |
| Connecticut | $373,080 |
| District of Columbia | $386,520 |
| Delaware | $353,530 |
| Florida | $330,310 |
| Georgia | $336,700 |
| Hawaii | $364,870 |
| Iowa | $334,080 |
| Idaho | $325,880 |
| Illinois | $355,830 |
| Indiana | $335,100 |
| Kansas | $332,410 |
| Kentucky | $328,500 |
| Louisiana | $331,920 |
| Massachusetts | $379,920 |
| Maryland | $359,950 |
| Maine | $340,370 |
| Michigan | $343,790 |
| Minnesota | $357,230 |
| Missouri | $331,680 |
| Mississippi | $311,320 |
| Montana | $329,580 |
| North Carolina | $331,750 |
| North Dakota | $344,840 |
| Nebraska | $328,880 |
| New Hampshire | $352,910 |
| New Jersey | $378,380 |
| New Mexico | $323,330 |
| Nevada | $345,500 |
| New York | $371,120 |
| Ohio | $339,910 |
| Oklahoma | $322,770 |
| Oregon | $354,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $347,520 |
| Rhode Island | $361,940 |
| South Carolina | $327,100 |
| South Dakota | $317,260 |
| Tennessee | $326,230 |
| Texas | $340,510 |
| Utah | $334,290 |
| Virginia | $351,540 |
| Vermont | $342,640 |
| Washington | $378,520 |
| Wisconsin | $343,400 |
| West Virginia | $314,360 |
| Wyoming | $334,780 |
Highest Paying Cities for CHROs
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest CHRO salary at $440,310 per year or $212 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for HR executives are:
- San Jose, California: $440,310 ($212 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $435,980 ($210 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $426,310 ($205 per hour)
- New York, New York: $404,570 ($195 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $401,950 ($193 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $399,150 ($192 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a CHRO
HR executives can boost their compensation by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their company. Additionally, understanding pay trends can help CHROs negotiate better salaries.
- Gain industry experience: More experience in strategic HR leadership, talent management, and organizational development often leads to higher pay, especially for CHROs who excel in aligning HR strategies with company revenue goals. Entry-level human resources officers earn $330,328 per year, while those with over 8 years make around $348,980 per year, according to our data.
- Develop high-demand skills: Improve and develop high-demand skills like total rewards, employee engagement, employee relationship management, and compensation management, as these skills can lead to higher salaries.
- Negotiate your compensation and other incentives: Know how much CHROs earn in your area. When asking for a raise or extra incentives, highlight your strategic contributions, compliance expertise, and skills in employee engagement.
- Work in high-paying industries: As mentioned, some industries pay significantly more than others. For example, chief executives, including CHROs, in the management of companies and enterprises earn $239,200 or more, while those in government roles earn $137,310. Industries like professional, scientific, and technical services ($208,870) and healthcare and social assistance ($194,360) also offer higher compensation. These roles typically demand strong leadership, strategic decision-making, and financial oversight, but the higher salaries reflect the level of responsibility involved.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of July 01, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for delivery drivers in the United States is $200,553 (unweighted). Recent years have shown changes in compensation due to inflation and market demands, making it critical to access reliable data to understand the trend.
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$349,090 /year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$170,165 /year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$329,774 /year
TALENT.COM AVG. SALARY
$48,547 /year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$105,189 /year
