The salary range for an HR manager in Ohio runs from $81,940 at the 10th percentile to $218,740 at the 90th percentile. When budgeting, most offers for mid-career candidates will fall between $99,470 and $170,770, which represent the 25th and 75th percentiles. Anchoring your offer to the seniority and scope of the role will help you land within the right part of that range.
HR manager salary in Ohio (2026)
The average HR manager salary in Ohio is $144,530 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $130,480 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Ohio employs 8,040 HR managers, and the $14,050 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior HR managers in Ohio typically earn around $81,940, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $218,740 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for an HR manager hire in Ohio, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $130,480 |
Average Annual Salary | $144,530 |
vs. National Average | 12.0% below the national mean of $164,230 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 8,040 employed HR managers across Ohio.
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HR manager salary percentiles in Ohio
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $81,940 |
25th Percentile | $99,470 |
75th Percentile | $170,770 |
90th Percentile | $218,740 |
Employers hiring an HR manager in Ohio should expect to budget between $99,470 and $170,770 for most mid-career candidates, with entry-level roles starting near $81,940. Senior specialists with deep expertise or leadership scope regularly reach $218,740 or beyond, so roles with broader responsibilities warrant offers toward the upper end of that range.
HR manager salary by city in Ohio
City | Average Annual Salary |
Cincinnati | $149,390 |
Columbus | $144,850 |
Toledo | $140,720 |
Location within Ohio can meaningfully shift your compensation budget for an HR manager hire. Cincinnati leads at $149,390, which is $8,670 above Toledo at $140,720, so employers in Cincinnati should expect to set offers higher than those in other Ohio metros. Columbus sits in the middle at $144,850, closely tracking the statewide average.
How Ohio compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Ohio | $144,530 | $130,480 |
Illinois | $162,450 | $151,370 |
Michigan | $152,580 | $138,930 |
Pennsylvania | $148,500 | $133,060 |
Indiana | $143,650 | $130,340 |
Kentucky | $130,260 | $121,460 |
Ohio is a cost-effective market for HR manager hiring relative to most of its regional peers, which gives employers here a budgeting advantage when competing for talent. Illinois commands the highest average at $162,450, while Ohio's mean of $144,530 sits below Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania but above Indiana and Kentucky. Employers in Ohio can use this gap to attract candidates relocating from higher-cost states without needing to match those states' compensation levels.
Frequently asked questions about HR manager salary in Ohio
What is the salary range for a HR manager in Ohio?
What is the average HR manager salary in Ohio?
The average HR manager salary in Ohio is $144,530 per year. That figure sits 12.0% below the national mean of $164,230, which means Ohio employers generally face lower compensation pressure than peers in higher-cost states. Use the median of $130,480 as your baseline for typical mid-market candidates, and reserve the higher end of the range for roles with broader leadership or specialized responsibilities.
How does Ohio compare to other states for HR manager salary?
Ohio's average HR manager salary of $144,530 falls below Illinois ($162,450), Michigan ($152,580), and Pennsylvania ($148,500), but above Indiana ($143,650) and Kentucky ($130,260). This positions Ohio as a mid-range market among its neighbors, offering employers a meaningful cost advantage over the larger Midwest hubs. If you are competing for candidates who have offers in Illinois or Michigan, expect some upward pressure on your offer.
What do the top-earning HR managers make in Ohio?
HR managers at the 90th percentile in Ohio earn $218,740 per year. Roles that reach this level typically involve enterprise-scale HR leadership, complex labor relations, or multi-site oversight. When recruiting for senior HR manager positions in Ohio, plan for offers well above the $130,480 median and closer to the upper end of the published range.
HR Manager salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 11-3121 (Human Resources Managers).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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