How Much Does a VP of HR Salary Make? (2025)
The role of a Vice President of Human Resources is a pivotal one, shaping company culture, driving employee performance, and ensuring compliance across organizations. As a job title vice president, this position directly influences workforce strategy, employee relations, and long-term business growth.
As of September 11, 2025, the average salary for a vice president of human resources in the United States is approximately $229,203 per year. This figure reflects the average base salary and does not include bonuses, incentives, or average additional cash compensation.
This guide breaks down human resources salary ranges across states and cities, highlights how experience impacts pay, and examines the skills that contribute to higher earnings for the vice president of human resources, one of the most common vice president roles in corporate leadership.
What is the VP of HR Average Salary?
As of September 11, 2025, a Vice President of Human Resources salaries typically range between $192,331 and $282,887, depending on factors such as experience, employment location, industry, and specific job responsibilities. The average total compensation often surpasses $229,203 annually.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $92 | $3,699 | $16,028 | $192,331 |
| 25th Percentile | $101 | $4,037 | $17,492 | $209,903 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $110 | $4,408 | $19,100 | $229,203 |
| 75th Percentile | $124 | $4,948 | $21,442 | $257,303 |
| 90th Percentile | $136 | $5,440 | $23,574 | $282,887 |
VP of HR Salary: $229,203 per year ($110 per hour)
The average monthly salary for Vice Presidents of Human Resources is about $19,100, with a weekly salary of approximately $4,408. The hourly wage for this role averages around $110. For those seeking additional salary insights, benchmarks also show how HR leaders can build a stronger connection between skills, performance, and compensation in today's evolving workplace.
VP of HR Manager Salaries State by State
The VP of HR salary can vary significantly by state, influenced by cost of living, local demand, company size, and industry factors. The District of Columbia reports the highest average salary for vice presidents of human resources at $253,803 per year, while Mississippi shows one of the lowest at $204,403 per year.
Major states like California and New York consistently rank among the highest paying cities and states, making location a critical factor for professionals when reviewing salary expectations, negotiating compensation, and planning long-term HR careers.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $248,103 |
| Alabama | $210,603 |
| Arkansas | $207,103 |
| Arizona | $223,303 |
| California | $252,803 |
| Colorado | $233,903 |
| Connecticut | $244,903 |
| D.C. | $253,803 |
| Delaware | $232,103 |
| Florida | $216,903 |
| Georgia | $221,103 |
| Hawaii | $239,603 |
| Iowa | $219,403 |
| Idaho | $214,003 |
| Illinois | $233,603 |
| Indiana | $220,003 |
| Kansas | $218,303 |
| Kentucky | $215,703 |
| Louisiana | $217,903 |
| Massachusetts | $249,403 |
| Maryland | $236,303 |
| Maine | $223,503 |
| Michigan | $225,703 |
| Minnesota | $234,503 |
| Missouri | $217,803 |
| Mississippi | $204,403 |
| Montana | $216,403 |
| North Carolina | $217,803 |
| North Dakota | $226,403 |
| Nebraska | $215,903 |
| New Hampshire | $231,703 |
| New Jersey | $248,403 |
| New Mexico | $212,303 |
| Nevada | $226,803 |
| New York | $243,703 |
| Ohio | $223,203 |
| Oklahoma | $211,903 |
| Oregon | $232,803 |
| Pennsylvania | $228,203 |
| Rhode Island | $237,603 |
| South Carolina | $214,803 |
| South Dakota | $208,303 |
| Tennessee | $214,203 |
| Texas | $223,603 |
| Utah | $219,503 |
| Virginia | $230,803 |
| Vermont | $225,003 |
| Washington | $248,503 |
| Wisconsin | $225,503 |
| West Virginia | $206,403 |
| Wyoming | $219,803 |
Best-Paying Cities for VP of HR?
Similar to other executive leadership positions in human resources, the VP of HR salary can vary widely depending on location, cost of living, and industry demand. Metropolitan areas with larger companies, complex employee relations, and strong compliance requirements often offer higher compensation for HR executives.
For example, as of September 11, 2025, San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY are among the highest paying cities for a vice president of human resources, with salaries exceeding $265,000 per year. These cities often house global headquarters and fast-growing industries, driving demand for experienced HR leaders who can build team collaboration, strengthen employee connections, and oversee organizational performance at a scale.
| City | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $289,103 |
| San Francisco, CA | $286,203 |
| Oakland, CA | $279,903 |
| New York, NY | $265,603 |
| Queens Village, NY | $263,903 |
| Paramus, NJ | $262,103 |
How Experience Affects the VP of HR Salary
Experience has a direct impact on the VP of HR salary, with pay steadily increasing as professionals take on more leadership responsibilities in human resources. At the entry level, a vice president of human resources typically earns about $217,581, while intermediate-level VPs report salaries around $219,399.
Moving up, a senior human resources vice president earns roughly $221,822, and at the specialist level, salaries rise to about $225,458. Finally, expert VPs command the highest pay at $230,003 per year, reflecting their ability to lead employee relations, ensure compliance, manage team performance, and align HR strategy with the broader goals of the organization.
This progression highlights the importance of human connection, leadership, and long-term experience in driving results, retaining employees, and shaping company culture at the executive level.
| Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level VP of HR | $217,581 |
| Intermediate Level VP of HR | $219,399 |
| Senior Level VP of HR | $221,822 |
| Specialist Level VP of HR | $225,458 |
| Expert Level VP of HR | $230,003 |
How to Increase Salary as a VP of HR?
For professionals in human resources, boosting compensation as a VP of HR often comes from building stronger leadership capabilities, expanding expertise, and positioning yourself in high-demand markets. Here are five proven strategies to increase pay in this executive role:
- Work in the highest paying cities: Relocating to San Francisco, San Jose, or New York, NY can significantly increase your earnings. These highest paying cities are home to large corporations and fast-growing industries where human resources vice presidents play a critical role in shaping employee relations, compliance programs, and organizational culture.
- Advance to senior leadership levels: Just as the salary progression shows, moving from entry-level to expert vice president of human resources increases earning potential. At higher levels, VPs lead larger HR teams, oversee strategic talent initiatives, and align HR policies with company-wide performance goals.
- Negotiate for additional cash compensation: Beyond the average base salary, VPs can earn more by negotiating for additional cash compensation such as bonuses, stock options, or executive perks. Demonstrating measurable impact on retention, compliance, and employee performance strengthens your case.
- Specialize in competitive industries: Working in industries with strict compliance needs, such as finance, healthcare, or technology, can lead to higher human resources salary ranges. These fields value HR leaders who can manage complex regulations while fostering a strong employee connection and driving organizational performance.
- Invest in ongoing development: Building expertise in areas like DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion), workforce analytics, and leadership development can make a VP of HR indispensable. Continued education, certifications, and embracing HR technology often result in higher compensation packages and broader responsibilities.
VP of HR Skills
VP of HR skills can be varied, with expertise in sales management boosting salaries by up to +9.62%. Knowledge in competitive intelligence (CI) and sales strategy increases pay by about +8.37% to +8.74%, while strengths in business strategy and marketing channel strategy add between +8.10% and +8.31% to the average salary.
Meanwhile, tactical planning and partnership development also support higher earnings, especially in the highest paying cities like San Francisco and New York, NY, where the vice president of human resources commands some of the strongest compensation packages.
| Skill | Salary Increase (%) | Skill Demand (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Planning | +7.69% | 10.50% |
| Competitive Intelligence (CI) | +8.37% | 10.40% |
| Marketing Channel Strategy | +8.10% | 10.30% |
| Partnership Development | +7.53% | 10.00% |
| Sales Management | +9.62% | 10.00% |
| Sales Strategy | +8.74% | 10.00% |
| Business Development | +7.43% | 10.00% |
| Business Strategy | +8.31% | 10.00% |
What are FAQs about VP of HR?
These are the common questions asked about VP of HR salary:
Is the VP of HR salary higher than the average vice president salary?
Yes. The VP of HR salary is typically higher than the average vice president salary in other departments because of the critical responsibilities tied to human resources, compliance, and organizational performance.
What is the difference between a vice president of human resources and a chief human resources officer?
The vice president of human resources usually reports to the CHRO or CEO and oversees operational HR functions, while the CHRO is responsible for overall human resources strategy. Both roles have competitive human resources salary ranges, but CHROs generally earn more.
Do VPs of HR earn performance-based bonuses?
Yes. In addition to their average base salary, many VPs of HR receive additional cash compensation through performance bonuses, retention incentives, and equity packages. This often increases their average total compensation significantly.
Are recent vice president hires in HR earning more than before?
Market data shows that a recent vice president of human resources earns more than in previous years, reflecting an increase in demand for HR leadership in areas like employee relations, compliance, and team performance.
What industries pay the highest salaries for a VP of HR?
The highest salaries for a president of human resources are found in industries such as technology, healthcare, and finance, where compliance and employee performance are critical to organizational success.
