2025 Human Resources Salary Guide

As recruitment professionals, we recognise the vital role that HR teams play in shaping an engaged and satisfied workforce. From championing the company culture to providing initiatives and a work environment where everyone can thrive, having a team dedicated to connecting people with purpose can make the world of a difference in the overall success of an organisation.

That’s why we have curated the 2025 Robert Half Human Resources Salary Guide to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make the right employment decisions. Whether you're a hiring manager looking to attract top HR talent or a jobseeker hoping to find the perfect role, this guide provides valuable insights and Australian salary benchmarks based on Robert Half’s placement data to help the decision-making process.

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Enter your city to localise national average salaries. Starting salaries can vary greatly depending on a professional’s skills and experience, company size and demand for the role.

Human resources

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

HR Administrator

67000

72500

77500

HR Coordinator

71500

77000

82500

HR Advisor

84500

98000

112500

HR Business Partner

108000

122000

138000

HR Manager

127500

145500

159500

HR Director / Head of HR

202000

270000

297500

Talent Acquisition Advisor / Specialist

89000

100000

108500

Talent Acquisition Manager

112000

124000

139500

Learning & Development Specialist / Manager

104500

132500

156000

WHS Advisor

96500

117500

134000

WHS Manager

121000

141000

158000

25th percentile

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills and may have specialised qualifications.

Salary range based on three percentiles The starting salaries represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation.

Human resources market update

In the past year, business restructuring impacted HR professionals as companies endured workforce reductions and hiring freezes. While onboarding stalled, HR teams continued their essential role to grow organisations.

Today, the HR function is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by tech advancements such as the introduction of AI advancements for data-driven decision making. Skills shortages in data analysis as well as the need for strong business partnering capabilities are driving demand, and candidates with this experience are highly sought after.

HR workers crave a ‘people first’ organisation

A strong corporate culture is key to attract top HR professionals who primarily choose to work for organisations that value people. Flexible and hybrid working is also high on the wish list, yet many recognise a balanced return to the office with the aim to build a positive corporate culture is beneficial for roles in this space.

HR teams face the complex task of managing a multi-generational workforce, where Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z converge and collaborate under one roof. This requires HR teams to consider the diverse needs, values and communication styles of all generations to tailor engagement initiatives, benefit packages and learning opportunities that resonate with the different age groups.

of employers often encounter generational differences in the workplace of employers often encounter generational differences in the workplace

of employers believe they understand the motivations and expectations of different generations in their workforce well of employers believe they understand the motivations and expectations of different generations in their workforce well

With more Aussie workers both demanding and expecting improvement in corporate culture this year, HR finds itself in a unique position of not only championing values internally, but also attracting new HR hires who can foster a supportive culture in the workplace. Companies seeking to enhance their corporate culture in 2025 should regard active listening, empathy and conflict resolution as prerequisite skills amongst HR jobseekers.

of workers say they want a better corporate culture in 2025 of workers say they want a better corporate culture in 2025

of workers are confident they will get a better corporate culture in 2025 of workers are confident they will get a better corporate culture in 2025

In-demand jobs in HR

HR Generalist

HR Coordinator/Administrator

Talent Acquisition Specialist

In-demand technical skills in HR

Human Resources Information System (HRIS)

CRM (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM)

Legislation and award interpretation

Enterprise bargaining

In-demand soft skills in HR

Confidentiality

Engagement

Performance management skills

Stakeholder management skills

Business partnering skills

Coaching

Solutions-focused mindset

How much should I earn or pay?

In-demand certifications and degrees in HR

Bachelor of Human Resource Management

Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)

Top industries hiring for HR talent

Professional services

Healthcare and social assistance

Retail

Manufacturing

Aged care

Not-for-profit

Education

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The salaries listed in the Salary Guide from Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process to ensure our projections accurately reflect the marketplace. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has matched with employers across Australia as well as third-party job posting data that we use to independently validate the salary ranges.

The salaries listed in the salary tables represent gross yearly salaries. They do not include bonuses, benefits or superannuation. We report salaries in three percentiles, recognising that professionals join companies at varied experience levels.

The non-salary data presented in this Salary Guide is derived from an online survey conducted by an independent research firm commissioned by Robert Half in November 2024. The survey gathered responses from 500 hiring managers and 1,000 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, business support, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs to large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across Australia.