The salary of an HR professional in the UK differs greatly depending on their role, level of experience, location and industry.
According to our 2018 Salary Checker guide, an HR assistant, administrator or co-ordinator based in London can earn anywhere between £22,330 and £32,480 per year, while an HR officer or advisor can expect a salary of anywhere between £25,375 and £55,825. An HR Director or Head of HR based in London can expect a salary of up to £253,750.
Outside of London, an HR assistant, administrator or co-ordinator can earn anywhere between £16,000 and £35,000 per year, while an HR officer or advisor can expect a salary of anywhere between £22,000 and £45,000. An HR Director or Head of HR based outside of London can expect a salary of up to £150,000.
While there are a number of deciding factors that influence salaries, in most cases industry/sector is the most prevalent. Here’s a list of salaries according to sector and level of experience:
Banking and Financial Services
For someone first starting out as an HR assistant or administrator in the banking and financial services sector, a starting salary between £20,000 and £30,450 can be expected. This increases to anywhere between £22,000 and £50,750 at an officer or advisor level. A head of department in this industry can earn up to £152,250, while a HR Director can expect to earn up to £253,750.
Oil / Gas / Energy / Utilities
An HR assistant or administrator in the Oil / Gas / Energy / Utilities sector has a starting salary between £18,000 and £32,480. This increases to between £22,000 and £45,675 at an officer or advisor level. A head of department can earn up to £152,250, while a HR Director can earn up to £228,375.
Telecommunications / Media / Technology
In the Telecommunications / Media / Technology sector, a starting salary for HR assistants or administrators of anywhere between £18,000 and £30,450 can be expected. This rises to around £22,000 and £45,675 for professionals at an officer or advisor level. A head of department can expect to earn up to £120,000, while a HR Director can expect to earn up to £170,000 per year.
Public Sector / Not-for-Profit / Charity
For HR professionals working in the Public Sector / Not-for-Profit / Charity, an HR assistant or administrator can expect between £16,000 and £30,450 per year, while an officer or advisor can expect to earn between £22,000 and £48,720 per year. At a more senior level, a head of department can expect a salary of up to £101,500, while a HR Director can expect a salary of up to £121,800 per year.
Professional Services
An HR assistant or administrator in the Professional Services sector has a starting salary between £18,000 and £32,480. This increases to around £22,000 and £45,675 at an officer or advisor level. A head of department can expect a salary reaching as high as £121,800, while a HR Director can expect a salary as high as £182,700.
FMCG / Retail / Leisure
For HR assistants or administrators in the FMCG / Retail / Leisure sector, a starting salary can range from £18,000 to £26,390. This increases to around £22,000 and £50,750 for professionals at an officer or advisor level. For heads of departments, a salary of anywhere up to £125,000 can be expected, while HR Directors can expect to earn up to £180,000 per year.
Manufacturing / Production / Industry
HR assistants or administrators in Manufacturing / Production / Industry should expect a starting salary between £18,000 and £30,450. At an officer or advisor level, this increases to anywhere around £22,000 and £50,750. A head of department can expect to earn up to £111,650, while a HR Director can expect to earn up to £131,950.