Human resources salary: Where it sits against the national line
Human resources professionals plan, develop and manage an organisation’s most important asset – its people. But how does a human resources salary stack up against the national full-time average? The short answer: the typical HR professional earns less than the average across all full-time workers, but the gap narrows with experience, sector and location.
The key figure: median weekly earnings
The most reliable published figure for human resources salary is the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), reported by Jobs and Skills Australia, that median is $1,970 per week. That works out to about $102,440 a year before tax (multiplied by 52 weeks).
For context, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week, or roughly $108,352 a year. That means the typical HR professional earns about $114 less per week than the average across all full-time workers.
It is important to note the difference between an average and a median. The national average is pulled up by very high earners in mining, finance and executive roles. The HR median is a midpoint: half of full-time non-managerial HR employees earn more than $1,970, half earn less. The median is a better guide for a typical role.
What would move a human resources salary above the average?
Several factors can push an individual’s pay above the national full-time average:
Sector: public vs private
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data shows that public sector full-time adult ordinary-time earnings average $2,263.10 per week (about $117,681 a year), while the private sector average is $2,034.10 per week (about $105,773 a year). HR professionals working in government – federal, state or local – tend to earn more than their private-sector counterparts. The public sector also offers stronger job security and superannuation benefits.
Location: state and territory differences
Full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings vary significantly across Australia. The highest is in the Australian Capital Territory at $2,290.20 per week (about $119,090 a year), followed by Western Australia at $2,227.40 ($115,825 a year). The lowest is Tasmania at $1,846.30 ($96,008 a year). HR roles in Canberra, often tied to federal government departments, and in Perth, linked to the resources sector, are more likely to exceed the national average. See the states and territories page for a full breakdown.
Occupation specialisation and seniority
The median figure of $1,970 covers non-managerial HR employees. Senior HR managers, directors and heads of people and culture – who are excluded from that median – can earn well above $2,083.70 per week. Specialised roles in industrial relations, remuneration, and HR analytics also command higher pay. The job medians page shows how other occupations compare.
Industry
HR professionals in mining, professional services and information media tend to earn more than those in retail, hospitality or healthcare. The ABS does not publish a separate HR median by industry, but the overall industry averages give a clue: mining full-time ordinary-time earnings average about $2,800 per week, while accommodation and food services average about $1,400.
How human resources salary compares to other benchmarks
- National full-time average: $2,083.70/week – HR median is 5.5% below.
- Full-time median (all occupations): about $1,740/week ($90,532/year) – HR median is 13% above.
- All-employees median: about $1,436/week ($74,672/year) – HR median is 37% above.
- National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44/hour, $1,004.90/week, $52,255/year – HR median is nearly double.
So while the typical HR salary sits below the full-time average, it is comfortably above the all-employees median and far above the minimum wage.
The gender pay gap in HR
Human resources is a female-dominated profession – 73% of HR professionals are women, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings data shows that women’s full-time ordinary-time earnings average $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 a year), compared to men’s $2,181.00 ($113,412 a year). That gap of about 11% is narrower than the national average gender pay gap, but it still means women in HR earn less on average than men. The HR median figure does not break down by gender, but the overall pattern suggests women in HR are more likely to be below the national average.
How the figures are set
The ABS calculates average weekly earnings from a survey of employers, covering all industries and sectors. The median earnings come from the Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which asks employees about their pay. Both surveys are conducted twice a year. For more detail on methodology, see How the figures are set.
What this means for your pay
If you are a human resources professional earning around $1,970 per week, you are typical for the occupation but below the national full-time average. To move above the line, consider moving into a senior or specialised role, switching to the public sector, or relocating to a higher-paying state. If you are an employer, these benchmarks help you set competitive salaries to attract and retain HR talent.
Summary
- Median human resources salary: $1,970/week ($102,440/year)
- National full-time average: $2,083.70/week ($108,352/year)
- HR median is 5.5% below the national average
- Public sector, senior roles, and certain locations can push pay above the average
- HR pay is well above the all-employees median and minimum wage
For a personalised comparison, you can Place a salary on the line to see how your pay measures up.