Human resource managers and directors Pay Data UK — 2025

Human resource managers and directors roles in the UK earn a median of £64,000 per year, equivalent to £30.49 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 12.4% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £46,500 in North East to £83,500 in London. Pay has risen over the past 4 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £57,529/yr (11% above our computed national average).

Labour Market

Employment figures from ONS Annual Population Survey (APS). Counts are estimates; suppressed cells (small samples) are excluded from totals.

Pay by Region

Annual pay for Human resource managers and directors across UK regions. The bar shows the typical pay range (25th–75th percentile); the diamond marks the median.

Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).

How Pay Has Changed Over Time

Annual pay grew by +12.4% from 2024 to 2025.

National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot. Shaded band shows 25th–75th percentile range.

Year-on-Year Pay Change

Annual percentage change in median pay for Human resource managers and directors.

Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.

About Human resource managers and directors

Human resource managers and directors plan, organise and direct the personnel, training and industrial relations policies of organisations, advise on resource allocation and utilisation problems, measure the effectiveness of an organisation’s systems, methods and procedures and advise on, plan and implement procedures to improve utilisation of labour, equipment and materials.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• determines staffing needs
• oversees the preparation of job descriptions, drafts advertisements and interviews candidates
• oversees the monitoring of employee performance and career development needs
• provides or arranges for provision of training courses
• undertakes industrial relations negotiations with employees’ representatives or trades unions
• develops and administers salary, health and safety and promotion policies
• examines and reports on company and departmental structures, chains of command, information flows, etc. and evaluates efficiency of existing operations
• considers alternative work procedures to improve productivity
• stays abreast of relevant legislation, considers its impact on the organisation’s HR strategy and recommends appropriate action

Entry Routes and Qualifications

There are no pre-set entry standards, although entry is most common with a degree or equivalent qualification. Relevant experience is important and internal promotion to management is possible. Off and on-the-job training is provided, and professional qualifications are available. Apprenticeships are available. NVQs/SVQs in relevant subjects are available at levels 3, 4 and 5.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.