Where the HR salary sits against the national average
Human resource professionals plan, develop and implement staff recruitment, advise on workplace matters, and represent parties in negotiations. The most current official figure for this occupation comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised for Jobs and Skills Australia. It shows a median full-time weekly earnings of $1,970 for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. That is about $102,440 a year before tax.
By comparison, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year. So the typical HR professional earns roughly $114 a week less than the average full-time worker.
What would move HR pay above or below the average?
Several factors can push an individual HR salary above or below that median:
- Industry: HR professionals in mining, professional services, or finance tend to earn more than those in retail, hospitality, or community services. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey shows that the mining industry pays an average hourly rate of $74.10, while manufacturing pays $44.30. HR roles in high-paying industries will likely exceed the national average.
- Location: State averages vary significantly. The ACT has the highest full-time average at $119,090 a year, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. HR professionals in the ACT or Western Australia ($115,825) are more likely to be above the national average than those in South Australia or Tasmania. See States and territories for a full breakdown.
- Experience and seniority: The median figure covers all full-time non-managerial HR professionals. Senior HR managers, HR directors, or those with specialist skills (e.g., industrial relations, organisational development) can earn well above the median. Conversely, entry-level HR officers or coordinators may earn below it.
- Gender: The occupation is 73% female. The ABS reports that full-time women earn a median of $1,758 a week, while full-time men earn $1,994. The gender pay gap within HR may pull the overall median down compared to male-dominated occupations.
- Method of setting pay: About 38.5% of employees nationally have pay set by individual arrangement, and 34.6% by collective agreement. HR professionals on enterprise agreements or individual contracts may have more room to negotiate above the median.
How the figures are collected
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which measures average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults. It is published twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 figure of $2,083.70 is the most recent.
The HR median comes from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is conducted every two years. The latest available is May 2025. It uses a more homogenous population (full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate) to allow fair comparisons between occupations. This means it excludes managers, part-time workers, and junior rates, so it is a better benchmark for a typical HR professional than a simple average of all employees.
Comparing to other benchmarks
- All employees median: The ABS reports a median of $1,436 a week for all employees (full-time and part-time), or about $74,672 a year. HR professionals earn well above that.
- Full-time median: For all full-time employees, the median is $1,887 a week ($98,124 a year). The HR median of $1,970 is above that, meaning HR professionals tend to earn more than the typical full-time worker across all occupations.
- National minimum wage: From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or $52,255 a year. HR salaries are comfortably above this floor.
What the average line shows
On this site, the line is drawn at the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week. If you Place a salary on the line, you can see how your own pay compares. For HR professionals, the median sits about 5.5% below that line. But depending on your industry, location, and experience, your pay could be above or below.
Industry and occupation medians
For a broader view, the ABS provides median earnings by occupation. Managers earn a median hourly rate of $69.20, professionals $64.50, and technicians and trades workers $46.50. HR professionals fall under the Professionals group, but their median hourly rate of $53 is below the professional average, reflecting the mix of roles within HR. See Job medians for more.
Tax considerations
For the 2026–27 income year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies. A HR professional earning the median of $102,440 would fall in the 30% marginal tax bracket (plus Medicare). The average full-time worker earning $108,352 is also in that bracket, so the after-tax difference is modest.
Summary
The typical HR salary is below the national full-time average but above the all-employees median and well above the minimum wage. To move above the average line, HR professionals often need to work in high-paying industries, gain seniority, or work in higher-paying states like the ACT or WA. The data shows that HR is a solid middle-income profession, but not among the highest paid. For more detail on how pay varies by location, see States and territories. For an explanation of how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.