HR manager salary vs the national average
HR managers in Australia earn well above the typical full‑time worker. The most recent data from the shows that the national full‑time adult average ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, or about $108,352 a year. That is the figure this site uses as its line.
For Human Resource Managers, the reports a median full‑time weekly earnings of $2,768 from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours for May 2025. Multiplying by 52 gives an annualised equivalent of $143,936. This is a median, meaning half of full‑time HR managers earn more and half earn less. It is also a weekly statistic annualised for comparison, not a survey of actual yearly salaries.
The HR manager median is about $35,600 above the national full‑time average. That gap reflects the specialised nature of the role and the seniority typically required. However, the median is from May 2025, while the average is from May 2026. Wage growth over that period – the ABS reported a 3.7% annual increase in average weekly ordinary time earnings – means the current HR manager figure may be slightly higher, but no newer occupation‑specific median has been published.
How state differences affect HR manager pay
Where you work matters. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey provides state‑level full‑time averages that serve as a useful benchmark. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 a year, followed by Western Australia at $115,825 and New South Wales at $109,658. The lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. HR manager salaries tend to follow these regional patterns, with employers in higher‑cost states typically offering more. For a full details, see our States and territories page.
A HR manager in the ACT might expect a premium over the national median, while a role in Tasmania might see a discount. The state averages are for all full‑time workers, not just HR managers, but they indicate the general earnings environment.
Awards and agreements for HR managers
Most HR managers are not covered by a modern award. They are usually employed under individual contracts or enterprise agreements. The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work at $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, applies to all employees but is far below typical HR manager pay. The 4.75% increase to award minimums in 2026 affects lower‑paid roles but has little direct impact on this occupation.
That said, some HR managers in the public sector may be covered by enterprise agreements that set salary scales. The public sector full‑time average is higher than the private sector ($2,263.10 per week vs $2,034.10 per week in May 2026), which may partly reflect the mix of occupations, including HR roles.
Tax and take‑home pay
The on‑site tool accepts a yearly salary before tax and shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38‑hour week, plus the distance from the full‑time average. For the HR manager median of $143,936, the 2026–27 tax brackets apply: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies. The $143,936 figure falls into the 37% bracket, but the effective rate is lower due to the tax‑free threshold and progressive rates.
A tax calculator using these settings estimates take‑home pay of about $107,121 a year, or $2,060 per week, assuming no HELP debt or Medicare levy surcharge. This is an illustration only, not a guarantee of actual take‑home.
Putting it on the line
If you want to see how your own HR manager salary compares to the national average, you can Place a salary on the line using the tool. It will show you the weekly and hourly figures and how far above or below the $108,352 line you sit.
Summary
The median HR manager salary of $143,936 a year is well above the national full‑time average of $108,352. State location can shift the figure, with higher pay in the ACT, WA, and NSW, and lower pay in Tasmania. Awards have little direct effect, but enterprise agreements in the public sector may set specific rates. The figure is a median from May 2025, so current pay may be slightly higher due to wage growth.