How Much Does a Senior HR Business Partner Make? (2025)
A senior HR business partner’s main responsibility is to recruit, screen, and ensure that every new employee has the skills and knowledge needed to help the business grow. They’re also mainly responsible for aligning HR objectives with the overall business goals.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported an 8% job outlook for senior HR business partners, which is faster than the average. This directly coincides with the average yearly salary of $80,290 per Salary.com’s data as of July 3, 2025.
Learn more about the salary trend for senior HR business partners, top-paying cities in the US, and some FAQs about the occupation in this salary guide.
What is the Average Senior HR Business Partner’s Salary?
As mentioned above, the salary of a senior HR business partner is $80,290 per year. As of April 14, 2025, senior HR business partner’s salaries range from $69,439 to $86,280, with the majority earning between $74,610 to $91,734.
2025 Senior HR Business Partner salary: $80,290 ($39 per hour)
A senior HR business partner’s average monthly salary is $6,691, while the average weekly pay is $1,544. Meanwhile, the salary of a senior HR business partner per hour is $48, according to the report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33 | $1,335 | $5,787 | $69,439 |
| 25th Percentile | $36 | $1,435 | $6,218 | $74,610 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $39 | $1,544 | $6,691 | $80,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $41 | $1,659 | $7,190 | $86,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $44 | $1,764 | $7,644 | $91,734 |
Senior HR Business Partner Salaries State by State
The salary for senior HR business partners differs across US states based on factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.
As shown in the table below, the three (3) states with the lowest average annual salary for senior HR business partners in the United States are Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas with $71,600, $72,300, and $72,530, respectively.
Meanwhile, the three (3) states with the highest average annual salary for senior HR business partners are the District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts with $88,900, $88,560, and $87,380, respectively.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $86,910.00 |
| Alabama | $73,760.00 |
| Arkansas | $72,530.00 |
| Arizona | $78,230.00 |
| California | $88,560.00 |
| Colorado | $81,920.00 |
| Connecticut | $85,800.00 |
| District of Columbia | $88,900.00 |
| Delaware | $81,310.00 |
| Florida | $75,970.00 |
| Georgia | $77,440.00 |
| Hawaii | $83,920.00 |
| Iowa | $76,840.00 |
| Idaho | $74,950.00 |
| Illinois | $81,840.00 |
| Indiana | $77,070.00 |
| Kansas | $76,450.00 |
| Kentucky | $75,550.00 |
| Louisiana | $76,340.00 |
| Massachusetts | $87,380.00 |
| Maryland | $82,790.00 |
| Maine | $78,280.00 |
| Michigan | $79,070.00 |
| Minnesota | $82,160.00 |
| Missouri | $76,280.00 |
| Mississippi | $71,600.00 |
| Montana | $75,800.00 |
| North Carolina | $76,300.00 |
| North Dakota | $79,310.00 |
| Nebraska | $75,640.00 |
| New Hampshire | $81,170.00 |
| New Jersey | $87,020.00 |
| New Mexico | $74,360.00 |
| Nevada | $79,460.00 |
| New York | $85,350.00 |
| Ohio | $78,180.00 |
| Oklahoma | $74,240.00 |
| Oregon | $81,530.00 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,930.00 |
| Rhode Island | $83,240.00 |
| South Carolina | $75,230.00 |
| South Dakota | $72,970.00 |
| Tennessee | $75,030.00 |
| Texas | $78,310.00 |
| Utah | $76,880.00 |
| Virginia | $80,850.00 |
| Vermont | $78,800.00 |
| Washington | $87,060.00 |
| Wisconsin | $78,980.00 |
| West Virginia | $72,300.00 |
| Wyoming | $77,000.00 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Senior HR Business Partner?
Senior HR business partners' salaries also vary by city due to the differences in the standard of living, local demand for occupation, and industry rates in metropolitan areas.
The table below shows that the labor industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries for senior HR business partners, specifically in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Certain cities such as New York, Queens Village, and Paramus also show signs of increased demand for the role and are considered as few of the highest paying cities for senior HR business partners:
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $101,270 |
| San Francisco, CA | $100,270 |
| Oakland, CA | $98,050 |
| New York, NY | $93,050 |
| Queens Village, NY | $92,440 |
| Paramus, NJ | $91,800 |
How Does Experience Affect a Senior HR Business Partner’s Salary?
Having more experience gives senior HR business partners an advantage over their peers, along with having an important role in increasing their salaries.
Salary.com reports that an entry-level senior HR business partner earns an average annual income of $93,769. Having 2 more years of experience can increase a senior HR business partner’s salary to $94,216.
After 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary of senior HR business partners could increase to about $95,709. Specialist and expert-level senior HR business partners can earn up to $97,500 and $101,027, respectively.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Senior HR Business Partner | $78,418 |
| Intermediate Level Senior HR Business Partner | $78,589 |
| Senior Level Senior HR Business Partner | $79,269 |
| Specialist Level Senior HR Business Partner | $80,920 |
| Expert Level Senior HR Business Partner | $82,720 |
How to Increase Salary as a Senior HR Business Partner?
The role of a senior HR business partner usually requires a degree in Human Resources, Business Communications, or any related field.
Below are some of the common skills and advancements needed for a salary raise as a senior HR business partner.
Senior HR Business Partner Advancements
- Education: Senior HR business partners are required to have a bachelor’s degree in either human resources, business communication, or any related field. They should have basic knowledge of English, Economics, and Talent Acquisition.
- Experience: Most senior HR business partners need at least 3 years of professional experience before being promoted to a senior position. However, most employers require 1 to 2 years of prior experience to be considered for the role.
- Acquiring the needed certifications: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers certificates like the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP to ensure that a future senior HR business partner is fully qualified and has all the skills necessary to do their role effectively.
Senior HR Business Partner Skills
Gaining sought-after skills for a senior HR business partner is an effective way to earn a better salary and unlock more career opportunities.
The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand senior HR business partner skills are managing Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and knowledge with employee engagement, with 27.96% and 27.80%, respectively.
On the other hand, essential skills such change management and HRIS management can increase the salary for Senior HR Business Partners by 5.26% and 4.89%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Change Management | 22.20% | 5.26% |
| Management Human Resource Information System (HRIS) | 27.96% | 4.89% |
| Employee Engagement | 27.80% | 4.36% |
| Onboarding | 25.58% | 4.04% |
| Workforce Planning | 23.98% | 3.36% |
| Succession Planning | 19.05% | 1.72% |
What are FAQs About Senior HR Business Partner Salaries?
Here are some common questions about a Senior HR Business Partner’s salary:
What does a Senior HR Business Partner do?
A senior HR business partner is responsible for being the strategic link between the primary HR functions and their business goals and ensuring that the overall HR initiatives are aligned with the business’ goals.
What skills should Senior HR Business Partners possess?
As mentioned above, an ideal candidate for the senior HR business partner role should posess skills like succession planning, onboarding, and workforce planning. However, most should have extensive knowledge of HRIS systems and change management systems to get paid more.
How much does a Senior HR Business Partner earn in the U.S.?
A senior HR business partner with the minimum experience earns $80,290, or $39 per hour in the United States, as of July 3, 2025. The highest pay can go up to $82,720 for those who belong in an organization's 90th percentile.
