How Much Does a Recruitment Manager Make? (2025)
Recruitment managers are strategic partners in driving organizational growth and competitiveness. They bridge the gap between talent acquisition and business strategy, ensuring companies attract and retain professionals who align with their goals. In today's dynamic labor market, recruitment managers leverage data analytics, employer branding, and technology-driven hiring tools to identify top talent efficiently.
As of November 2025, Salary.com projected the median annual salary for recruitment managers in the United States to be $113,690. Read on to learn more about recruitment managers, their job descriptions, salary expectations, and answers to common questions about this career path.
What Does a Recruitment Manager Do?
A Recruitment Manager oversees the entire hiring process to ensure an organization attracts and hires the best talent efficiently and effectively. This role involves aligning recruitment strategies with the company's current and future workforce needs, implementing and managing all aspects of recruitment programs, and determining the most effective and cost-efficient channels for sourcing candidates.
Recruitment Managers also supervise a team of recruiters, ensuring daily operations run smoothly and performance goals are met. They typically report to a Director of Human Resources or Talent Acquisition and are expected to hold at least a bachelor's degree.
By combining strategic planning with hands-on management, Recruitment Managers play a key role in building a strong, capable workforce that supports organizational growth and long-term success.
What is a Recruitment Manager Salary Overview?
As of November 1, 2025, the projected average salary for recruitment managers per year in the United States is $113,690, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
As of this writing, recruitment manager salaries in the U.S. range from $89,236 to $139,863, with most earning between $100,890 and $127,390. The average monthly salary for recruiting managers is $9,474, ranging from $7,436 to $11,655.
2025 Recruitment Manager Salary: $113,690 per year ($55 per hour)
For the hourly rate, recruiting managers typically earn an average of $55 per hour, with hourly salaries ranging from $43 to $67.
Meanwhile, recruitment manager salary plus bonuses has a median of $143,190, depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $110,712 ($53 per hour) |
| 25th Percentile | $126,190 ($61 per hour) |
| 50th Percentile | $143,190 ($69 per hour) |
| 75th Percentile | $162,090 ($78 per hour) |
| 90th Percentile | $179,297 ($86 per hour) |
The median total compensation for recruitment managers is $196,730, according to Salary.com reports based on HR data. The median base salary for recruitment managers makes up about 57.8% of the total compensation, while benefits like time off ($17,623), Social Security ($10,954), and healthcare ($8,352) make up about 18.8% of the total package.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $113,690 | 57.8% |
| Bonus | $29,500 | 15.0% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | $10,954 | 5.6% |
| 401K/403B | $6,014 | 3.1% |
| Disability | $2,864 | 1.5% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 4.2% |
| Pension | $7,732 | 3.9% |
| Time Off | $17,623 | 9.0% |
| Total Compensation | $196,730 | 100% |
What Can Affect Recruitment Manager Salaries?
Factors, like experience level, geographic location, education, company size, and skills, can affect the salary for recruitment managers. Here are the effects of these factors in terms of annual compensation.
By Experience Level
The salary for recruitment managers varies depending on the experience level. An entry-level recruitment manager pay is $109,100 while an expert-level with over 8 years of experience can expect $115,174 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Recruitment Manager | $109,100 |
| Intermediate Level Recruitment Manager | $109,651 |
| Senior Level Recruitment Manager | $110,936 |
| Specialist Level Recruitment Manager | $112,405 |
| Expert Level Recruitment Manager | $115,174 |
By Geographic Location
Key factors why geographic location affects salaries in the United States are the local economy, cost of living, and industry presence. Here are the hot cities in the US for recruitment managers:
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $127,290 | $143,390 | $160,690 |
| San Francisco, California | $125,990 | $141,990 | $159,190 |
| Oakland, California | $123,190 | $138,890 | $155,590 |
| New York, New York | $116,890 | $131,790 | $147,690 |
| Queens Village, New York | $116,190 | $130,890 | $146,690 |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $115,390 | $129,990 | $145,690 |
According to Salary.com data, San Jose, CA has the most competitive pay among the hot cities, with recruitment manager compensation ranging from $127,290 to $160,690, while Paramus, NJ has the least, with salary for recruitment managers ranging from $115,390 to $145,690.
By Skills
The salary for recruitment managers gets higher with more acquired skills. High-demand competencies also respond with higher earning potential.
According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a recruitment manager with skills in Continuous Improvement can experience the highest pay increase at 8.58%, followed by Diversity Recruiting at 8.50%, which is also the most in-demand skill at 10.80%.
Other highly compensated skills also include Presentation Software, Incentive Programs, Competitive Intelligence, and Social Media Management.
| Skills | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Improvement | 10.30% | +8.58% |
| Diversity Recruiting | 10.80% | +8.50% |
| Incentive Programs | 10.60% | +8.23% |
| Competitive Intelligence (CI) | 10.40% | +7.91% |
| Social Media Management | 10.30% | +7.41% |
| Presentation Software | 10.60% | +7.02% |
By Education
Most recruitment managers have a bachelor's degree (60.6%), followed by a master's degree (22.6%), a high school diploma (8.3%), and an associate's degree (6.5%).
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| Bachelors | 60.6% |
| Masters | 22.6% |
| High School | 8.3% |
| Associates | 6.5% |
How to Become a Recruitment Manager
To become a Recruitment Manager, you will need a mix of education, experience, skills, and leadership growth. Here is what a typical path for recruitment managers looks like:
Education & foundational knowledge
Most postings for Recruitment Manager roles expect a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or a related discipline. While some employers may accept equivalent experience in lieu of a degree, having one gives you a stronger basis in employment law, organizational behavior and HR practices. For more senior or global roles, a master's degree or advanced credential (e.g., MBA, MS in HR) can provide an extra competitive edge.
Experience & career progression
The role demands practical recruitment and management experience. Industry data show that many recruitment manager roles require around 4-6 years of recruiting/talent acquisition experience (and often some leadership exposure) before moving into the manager level.
You will typically start in roles like recruiter or talent acquisition specialist, build expertise in sourcing, interviewing, and stakeholder management, then progress to a team-lead or coordinator and finally to a manager overseeing others. During this time, you will gain experience with full-cycle recruiting, vendor/agency partnerships, and working with hiring managers and business leaders.
Certifications & continuous development
While not always mandatory, industry-recognized certifications such as Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), SHRM-SCP, HR Certification Institute (HRCI) PHR/SPHR, or talent acquisition-specific credentials add credibility and show commitment. It's also worth staying current with technology trends, data analytics, and evolving best practices for recruitment and diversity/inclusion.
What are the FAQs about the Recruitment Manager?
Here are some common questions about recruitment managers:
What is the starting average recruiting manager salary?
According to Salary.com, the starting average salary for a Recruitment Manager in United States is $109,100. This represents entry-level professionals or those new to the job title, often with limited management experience.
Most Recruitment Managers, however, earn between $100,890 and $127,390 annually, depending on factors such as location, industry, education, and company size. As experience grows and responsibilities expand, salaries can rise significantly, especially for those managing larger teams or working in competitive sectors like technology or healthcare.
How does location impact a recruitment manager's salary?
Location has a significant impact on the salary for Recruitment Managers. The U.S. average salary for Recruitment Managers is around $113,690 per year. However, the figures vary depending on where the role is based. For example, in states with high cost of living such as California and New Jersey, salaries can reach around $123,000 or more per year.
Conversely, in regions with lower cost of living and competitive pressure for talent, the salary for the same role tends to be lower. Thus, when evaluating or negotiating salary for a Recruitment Manager position, it is important to consider the geographic market, cost-of-living differences, and local demand for talent.
What is the total compensation package for a recruitment manager?
The average total compensation package for a Recruitment Manager in the United States is $196,730 per year. This includes a base salary of about $113,690, which makes up roughly 58% of the total package, and an average annual bonus of approximately $29,500.
Beyond salary and bonuses, Recruitment Managers typically receive a range of valuable benefits, such as employer-paid social security contributions, retirement plan contributions, disability and healthcare coverage, and paid time off. These benefits collectively account for a significant portion of total compensation, adding tens of thousands of dollars in value each year.
